What is Philosophy
No brief definition expresses the richness and variety of philosophy. It is an ancient, and arguably the most comprehensive and reflective, intellectual discipline. It is concerned with perplexing questions such as: What can we justifiably claim to know? What is the nature of truth? Is there an essence to human nature? What is the 'good life'? How ought we treat others? Can there be a just society? What is the proper relation between an individual and the state?
Philosophy does not offer simple solutions. Instead, it often raises difficult questions about simple solutions on offer. The problems that philosophers ponder may be paradoxical or profound and the positions they defend may be controversial and subtle. But paradox, profundity and controversy can all be viewed as wholesome constituents of what Socrates called "the examined life" - perhaps the only life worth living.
Philosophy staff at Hertfordshire are committed to training you so you too can engage in this reflective enterprise and to providing a stimulating forum for you to do it in.
