International Studies in Philosophy BA

During the three–year period of study, ISiP students obtain a thorough grounding in the current state of research in various philosophical disciplines. They are also familiarised with the main historical traditions within European philosophy, with particular attention to analytical philosophy and the Lvov-Warsaw School. According to the tradition of that school, the basis for a philosophical education lies in ontology and epistemology. Courses in these branches provide a broad overview of the world and cognition: compatible with but deeper and more general than that offered by the natural sciences. At the same time, the main accomplishments of the latter are also studied. Supplemented by tutorials on the history of philosophy, all these courses make it possible to understand the content and evolution of the most important ideas and research of the Western civilization. Courses in ethics and aesthetics develop a theoretical understanding of the realm of values as well as emotional and moral sensitivities. They cultivate respect for civic responsibilities and show the interrelations between legal, moral, and religious normative domains. Courses in logic and logical semiotics (areas in which the work of Polish philosophers has had a world-wide impact) teach thinking skills—significant both within science and public life. Together with philosophy of language, they also provide the tools to formally analyse natural language and the structure of scientific theories. Studying philosophical anthropology, social philosophy and philosophy of culture allow ISiP students to comprehend intricate relations between a manner of living, the dominant intellectual culture, and the goals of social elites in diverse times and societies. Other specialist and interdisciplinary courses give students the opportunity to familiarise themselves with issues in such fields as philosophy of action, philosophy of mind, political and legal philosophy. Studies end with preparing bachelor’s thesis and passing the bachelor’s exam.

The broadening of students’ intellectual horizons is promoted by a varied programme of lectures, tutorials, and seminars. During lectures, students obtain knowledge of a subject, while during the tutorials and other classes they learn how to actively participate in philosophical debates, how to analyse basic philosophical ideas, and how to individually formulate and deal with challenging theoretical problems.

Philosophy develops students’ intellectual abilities like no other academic discipline. It trains intelligence, the ability to assimilate and understand new information, the capacity for understanding other people and cultures; philosophy teaches how to interpret the behaviour of individuals and societies correctly. It fosters imagination and, most of all, makes it easier to put together a coherent and general worldview as well as to determine the purpose of human existence. Philosophy graduates are seen by many employers as particularly important and valuable employees. They find employment in various educational institutions, publishing companies, PR firms, marketing agencies, mass media and, on top of that, in government offices, political organizations and local government institutions.

Those philosophy graduates who are not native speakers gain a fluent command of English which makes them more employable in Poland and the European Union. Their qualifications can provide a good basis for applying for prestigious grants and scholarships as well as for places in MA and PhD programmes across Europe and beyond.

Most classes take place in the Department of Philosophy building located at 3 Krakowskie Przedmieście St. in Warsaw. They are taught on weekdays, mostly from 9.45 am to 16.30 pm. The Department of Philosophy, University of Warsaw, has a well-supplied library—the best philosophical library in Central and Eastern Europe.