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Mathematics and Philosophy

Philosophy has always looked for truths that cannot be doubted, ‘clear and distinct’ ideas, as Descartes called them. A possible example of such a truth is 2+2=4. As this example shows, Mathematics might be an activity that generates such truths.

Both Mathematics and Philosophy (mainly in the analytic tradition) try to create well-defined structures and explore these structures by means of precise logical deductions.

Students of this joint course will study the two disciplines separately. A bridge between the two subjects will be supplied by studying logic.

Cross-fertilization between the two disciplines will be encouraged. This can happen through the study of the philosophy of mathematics, and through the application of logic (and other areas of mathematics such as probability) to philosophical problems.

There is a large overlap between mathematics and philosophy in terms of their methodology and content.

Hamish Dodd|Mathematics and Philosophy
Admission Criteria

A-levels or equivalent: A*A*A with the A*s in Mathematics and Further Mathematics (if taken).

Number of places

1 or 2

Departments

Mathematical Institute

Faculty of Philosophy

Teaching Staff

Dr Emily Qureshi-Hurst

College Lecturer in Philosophy

Mr Zheneng Xie

Graduate Teaching & Research Scholar in Mathematics

Professor James Sparks

Fellow & Tutor in Mathematics | Professor of Mathematical Physics

Organising Tutor
Dr Oliver Pooley

Vice Provost | Fellow and Tutor in Philosophy

Organising Tutor
Dr Kobi Kremnitzer

Fellow & Tutor in Mathematics

Professor Patrick Farrell

Fellow & Tutor in Mathematics | Professor of Scientific Computing

Organising Tutor
Dr Luca Castagnoli

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Clarendon Fellow in Ancient Greek Philosophy | Tutor in Philosophy & Classics

Organising Tutor
Professor Gonzalo Rodriguez-Pereyra

Colin Prestige Fellow & Tutor in Philosophy | Senior Tutor

OTHER COURSES YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN

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Number of places 6 Admission Criteria All candidates must sit the Admissions Test for Mathematics. Conditional offers: A*A*A at A-Level (or equivalent) with the A*s in Mathematics and Further Mathematics (if taken). The majority of entrants have two A-Levels in mathematics. Applicants with only one mathematics A-level are not at a disadvantage in the competition for places, but successful candidates have more preparation to do over the summer before they start their course.

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Admission Criteria The admissions criteria for each course involving philosophy can be found on the dedicated course page. For all courses, applicants invited to interview will be given a philosophy interview, or an interview with a philosophy component. At interview, we will not test whether you are already familiar with philosophical texts or arguments. Instead we are interested in your aptitude and potential for precise analytical thought, and in whether you enjoy abstract reasoning.

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What next?

Applying to Oriel

Applying to Oriel

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Fees and funding

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