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LSE- philosophy
LSE does not offer the typical philosophy course, but is a degree from LSE for "philosophy, logic, scientific method" a respected, prestigious degree?
Although LSE does not seem to be highest in the TIMES rankings...I am wondering about the reliability of the ranking tables, because LSE is, after all, basically the most dominant leading institute for the philosophy of science with names such as popper , russell associated with it. (perhaps it is because LSE did not enclose enough information for hte tables? this was said by someone in another thread..)
what do you all think?
Although LSE does not seem to be highest in the TIMES rankings...I am wondering about the reliability of the ranking tables, because LSE is, after all, basically the most dominant leading institute for the philosophy of science with names such as popper , russell associated with it. (perhaps it is because LSE did not enclose enough information for hte tables? this was said by someone in another thread..)
what do you all think?
Not to sound arrogant or anything, I'm slightly worried about the intellectual level of the philosophy students at LSE- simply because I know nothing about it..because I would like to be in a class where there will be many students who have noticibly higher capabilities than myself so that I will have more to learn from =Pl
candystrippa
LSE does not offer the typical philosophy course, but is a degree from LSE for "philosophy, logic, scientific method" a respected, prestigious degree?
Although LSE does not seem to be highest in the TIMES rankings...I am wondering about the reliability of the ranking tables, because LSE is, after all, basically the most dominant leading institute for the philosophy of science with names such as popper , russell associated with it. (perhaps it is because LSE did not enclose enough information for hte tables? this was said by someone in another thread..)
what do you all think?
Although LSE does not seem to be highest in the TIMES rankings...I am wondering about the reliability of the ranking tables, because LSE is, after all, basically the most dominant leading institute for the philosophy of science with names such as popper , russell associated with it. (perhaps it is because LSE did not enclose enough information for hte tables? this was said by someone in another thread..)
what do you all think?
No one is saying that LSE is not good at philosophy of science, but "the most dominant leading institute for philosophy of science" is going too far. In the UK, for example, Cambridge is already better than LSE in philosophy of science. LSE does not appear high in the league tables, because the league tables measure an institution's strength across the board, not only in one particular area and clearly LSE is very weak in many areas of philosophy e.g. ancient philosophy, history of ideas, philosophy of religion, ethics...
John_Kingston
No one is saying that LSE is not good at philosophy of science, but "the most dominant leading institute for philosophy of science" is going too far. In the UK, for example, Cambridge is already better than LSE in philosophy of science. LSE does not appear high in the league tables, because the league tables measure an institution's strength across the board, not only in one particular area and clearly LSE is very weak in many areas of philosophy e.g. ancient philosophy, history of ideas, philosophy of religion, ethics...
but philosophy of religion is not part of philosophy of science... why should LSE appear in the same table
well, i just quoted from someone from LSE, lol. very biased indeed
Of course, John_Kingston- Cambridge would be better than LSE in philosophy of science because generally Oxbridge is better at MOST subjects than most other universities. but after oxbridge , i think that LSE is an excellent place to do Philosophy- the course is tough to get in (compared to other London unis and some russell group unis), and although it is more specialized than say-UCL, a degree obtained from LSE is more internationally recognized than one from UCL (of course, i must make clear that the course in UCL is also very good).
The OP is not too wrong in saying that the LSE is one of the leading institutes for philosophy of science, despite having graduated from oxford for PPE and done philosophy in cambridge myself (and loved them both), I do feel that the LSE has a rather liberal edge which you may fancy. if you have visited LSE and got in touch with some of the staff/students, you may feel this as well.
and to Candystrippa- please don't worry about the intellectual level of those studying philosophy at LSE- there are a few "philosophy of science" enthusiasts who may simply blow your mind.
The OP is not too wrong in saying that the LSE is one of the leading institutes for philosophy of science, despite having graduated from oxford for PPE and done philosophy in cambridge myself (and loved them both), I do feel that the LSE has a rather liberal edge which you may fancy. if you have visited LSE and got in touch with some of the staff/students, you may feel this as well.
and to Candystrippa- please don't worry about the intellectual level of those studying philosophy at LSE- there are a few "philosophy of science" enthusiasts who may simply blow your mind.
candystrippa
but philosophy of religion is not part of philosophy of science... why should LSE appear in the same table
well, i just quoted from someone from LSE, lol. very biased indeed
well, i just quoted from someone from LSE, lol. very biased indeed
Is there a Times ranking for Philosophy of Science? I thought they only have one for philosophy in general.
Don't take me wrong. I, myself, think of LSE as a fine institution. It is excellent for Law, Economics, Politics, IR... But from what I gathered, the OP is looking for a broad general philosophy degree, rather than one specialised in philosophy of science (if I am wrong, please correct me. I would strongly recommend LSE if Philosophy of Science is what you are after). I also speak from personal experience. I considered applying to LSE for masters in philosophy, but was discouraged by my tutor because LSE's philosophy department is so focused on philosophy of science, while I am interested in moral philosophy and philosophy of religion. I have to admit I only considered applying to LSE only because of its general reputation. So let me warn you, don't go/apply to LSE if you are only attracted by its general reputation!
If I were to compare UCL and LSE for philosophy. I would definitely choose UCL over LSE, in fact I applied to UCL for masters too, just in case I don't get into Masters here at Oxford. Again this is assuming philosophy of science is not what you want to specialise in.
If I were to compare UCL and LSE for philosophy. I would definitely choose UCL over LSE, in fact I applied to UCL for masters too, just in case I don't get into Masters here at Oxford. Again this is assuming philosophy of science is not what you want to specialise in.
Let's clear some things up.
First, LSE is the top UK university for philosophy of science.
http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/breakdown.htm#13
LSE is group 2 in the world, Oxford group 3, Cambridge group 5.
Second, John Kingston’s arguments against LSE are motivated by his religious bent. He studied Philosophy and Theology. This conjunction is dubious, to say the least. Philosophy has a low reputation amongst people precisely because it is associated with that kind of nonsense.
Third, John Kingston claimed (in other posts) that studying Plato is a necessary condition to study other philosophers due to historical influence and that awful Whitehead quote.
Do chemists have to study alchemy in order to grasp modern chemistry?
Do astronomers have to study astrology in order to grasp astronomy??
Do physicists have to study magic in order to grasp M-theory? (well perhaps
)
Do lawyers have to study Roman law in order to grasp the law?
Do artists have to study cave art in order to be able to paint?
John Kingston complains that LSE's UG philosophy degree is just philosophy of science. It isn't. Plato and Aristotle’s political and moral theories are taught at LSE. The difference is that LSE is not interested in the niceties of what this or that word means in Greek; rather, LSE students analyse the propositions of their arguments and test them for validity and soundness (we often find them wanting).
Fourth, a Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method student will learn more philosophy than a PPE student or Philosophy and Theology student. So we wont take any sermons on the evils of specialisation from students who only study philosophy as a third or half their degree.
I find it insulting that someone who studied Philosophy and Theology at UG level is bashing LSE UG Philosophy.
Classical studies + iron age mythology or analytic philosophy + logic? Plato, St. Paul, and Plantinga or Hume, Popper and Putnam? I know which degree I prefer.
First, LSE is the top UK university for philosophy of science.
http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/breakdown.htm#13
LSE is group 2 in the world, Oxford group 3, Cambridge group 5.
Second, John Kingston’s arguments against LSE are motivated by his religious bent. He studied Philosophy and Theology. This conjunction is dubious, to say the least. Philosophy has a low reputation amongst people precisely because it is associated with that kind of nonsense.
Third, John Kingston claimed (in other posts) that studying Plato is a necessary condition to study other philosophers due to historical influence and that awful Whitehead quote.
Do chemists have to study alchemy in order to grasp modern chemistry?
Do astronomers have to study astrology in order to grasp astronomy??
Do physicists have to study magic in order to grasp M-theory? (well perhaps
)Do lawyers have to study Roman law in order to grasp the law?
Do artists have to study cave art in order to be able to paint?
John Kingston complains that LSE's UG philosophy degree is just philosophy of science. It isn't. Plato and Aristotle’s political and moral theories are taught at LSE. The difference is that LSE is not interested in the niceties of what this or that word means in Greek; rather, LSE students analyse the propositions of their arguments and test them for validity and soundness (we often find them wanting).
Fourth, a Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method student will learn more philosophy than a PPE student or Philosophy and Theology student. So we wont take any sermons on the evils of specialisation from students who only study philosophy as a third or half their degree.
I find it insulting that someone who studied Philosophy and Theology at UG level is bashing LSE UG Philosophy.
Classical studies + iron age mythology or analytic philosophy + logic? Plato, St. Paul, and Plantinga or Hume, Popper and Putnam? I know which degree I prefer.
Zedman, I am not religious! Nearly all the people I know at Oxford who studies Theology are not religious, let alone Christian. In fact, studying Theology made me less religious than most! The single most important philosophical problem in history has been "Is there a god?" and the Philosophy and Theology combination is superb. I am afraid you are mistaken, in a Philosophy and Theology, you don't study Classical Studies + Iron Age Mythology!
out of curiosity, did you study philosophy at lse, Zedman??
the reason i would say LSE above UCL is, LSE is much more recognized by i.e. people in the states and japan than UCL. i will be going to either countries to work in the future so even though I should not care solely about reputation, it does matter to me =P
but zedman, you have kind of convinced me to choose LSE for philosophy after bringing up st. paul and plantinga.. eugh
the reason i would say LSE above UCL is, LSE is much more recognized by i.e. people in the states and japan than UCL. i will be going to either countries to work in the future so even though I should not care solely about reputation, it does matter to me =P
but zedman, you have kind of convinced me to choose LSE for philosophy after bringing up st. paul and plantinga.. eugh
but john kingston you have your points too. of course a course at oxford is appealing. but oxford is not an option for me...unfortunately
John_Kingston
Zedman, I am not religious! Nearly all the people I know at Oxford who studies Theology are not religious, let alone Christian. In fact, studying Theology made me less religious than most! The single most important philosophical problem in history has been "Is there a god?" and the Philosophy and Theology combination is superb. I am afraid you are mistaken, in a Philosophy and Theology, you don't study Classical Studies + Iron Age Mythology!
I completely disagree that the soundness of theism is the most important philosophical problem in history. And, yes, theism is an iron age concept, and Plato and Co are classical Greek.
I have no problems with you studying Jesus, talking snakes, Platonic Forms and Aristotelian virtue to your heart's content.
What I do have problems with is you, having essentially taken a religious and philosophy of religion degree, pontificate on the evils of an analytic philosophy degree with an emphasis on philosophy of science.
I suggest you stop attacking LSE UG philosophy.
candystrippa
but zedman, you have kind of convinced me to choose LSE for philosophy after bringing up st. paul and plantinga.. eugh
but zedman, you have kind of convinced me to choose LSE for philosophy after bringing up st. paul and plantinga.. eugh
You don't study St. Paul and Plantinga in a Philosophy degree anywhere. This is not something special about LSE.
Zedman
I completely disagree that the soundness of theism is the most important philosophical problem in history. And, yes, theism is an iron age concept, and Plato and Co are classical Greek.
I have no problems with you studying Jesus, talking snakes, Platonic Forms and Aristotelian virtue to your heart's content.
What I do have problems with is you, having essentially taken a religious and philosophy of religion degree, pontificate on the evils of an analytic philosophy degree with an emphasis on philosophy of science.
I suggest you stop attacking LSE UG philosophy.
I have no problems with you studying Jesus, talking snakes, Platonic Forms and Aristotelian virtue to your heart's content.
What I do have problems with is you, having essentially taken a religious and philosophy of religion degree, pontificate on the evils of an analytic philosophy degree with an emphasis on philosophy of science.
I suggest you stop attacking LSE UG philosophy.
I do not believe in the Christian God, Jesus, Bible and those nonsense. I study them, merely because I want to know why did they have such a huge influence on western culture. The more I know about Christianity, the more I think it is nonsense. But why am I even explaining this to you. I don't have to justisy anything to you. I barely even know you. At Oxford, you can only study Philosophy as part of Classics, PPE, PPP, Philosophy with Language, Philosophy and Theology ie part of a joint course. I studied Formal Logic and Philosophy of Science too as part of my UG degree, not only philosophy of religion.
candystrippa
out of curiosity, did you study philosophy at lse, Zedman??
the reason i would say LSE above UCL is, LSE is much more recognized by i.e. people in the states and japan than UCL. i will be going to either countries to work in the future so even though I should not care solely about reputation, it does matter to me =P
but zedman, you have kind of convinced me to choose LSE for philosophy after bringing up st. paul and plantinga.. eugh
the reason i would say LSE above UCL is, LSE is much more recognized by i.e. people in the states and japan than UCL. i will be going to either countries to work in the future so even though I should not care solely about reputation, it does matter to me =P
but zedman, you have kind of convinced me to choose LSE for philosophy after bringing up st. paul and plantinga.. eugh
Yes, I studied philosophy at LSE (it wasn't called Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method at the time but covered the same syllabus). I then did my Masters at an Ivy League university in the USA. I'm currently deciding whether I should do a PhD or continue working in the City.
LSE provided me with rigorous analytical skills that frankly I would not have acquired taking an ordinary "bit of everything" degree. Studying German Idealism, French existential philosophy, classical Greek philosophy, pre-Socratic Greek philosophy and so on is all very interesting but studying those subjects is hardly conducive to forming analytic skills.
If you want a bit of everything, study philosophy at UCL, KCL or Edinburgh.
If you want philosophy of religion, study Philosophy and Theology. This is the best UG philosophy degree to become a priest with.
If you want philosophy, politics, and economics, study PPE at Oxford or Cambridge or Philosophy and Economics at LSE. These are the best UG philosophy degrees to get a graduate job with.
If you want hardcore analytic philosophy, study philosophy as a single subject at Cambridge or LSE (unfortunately Oxford doesn't teach philosophy as a single subject at UG level). These degrees are the best at establishing meticulous analytic skills at UG level; therefore, they are the best UG philosophy degrees to do if you want to do a philosophy Masters or PhD after you graduate.
I do not believe in the Christian God, Jesus, Bible and those nonsense. I study them, merely because I want to know why did they have such a huge influence on western culture. The more I know about Christianity, the more I think it is nonsense. But why am I even explaining this to you. I don't have to justisy anything to you. I barely even know you. At Oxford, you can only study Philosophy as part of Classics, PPE, PPP, Philosophy with Language, Philosophy and Theology ie part of a joint course. I studied Formal Logic and Philosophy of Science too as part of my UG degree, not only philosophy of religion.
Your grammar is pretty dreadful for an oxonion.
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