Philosophy and Modern Languages

There are many ways in which the study of Philosophy and the study of a language combine particularly well. Philosophical interest in language, already present in Plato, is almost as old as Philosophy itself. In the 20th Century language became a main focus of philosophical thought and the Philosophy of Language became a distinct subdiscipline. There is thus a rich heritage of philosophical reflection on language. Philosophy can also involve reflection on art and aesthetics, and philosophical study of these issues can add to one’s appreciation of the value of works of literature. Conversely, many literary texts raise philosophical questions. Studying Philosophy and Modern Languages requires and develops analytical rigour and critical skills, in addition to providing an in-depth knowledge of a European language. These are qualities that are highly useful in a wide range of careers.

On both sides of the course, students will be able to select options from a range of topics and time-periods. For further information, see the separate entries for Modern Languages and Philosophy.