"true philosophy exists in relearning to look at the world"

About Us

Philosophy at Essex was founded in 1974 by Professor Frank Cioffi, and has been committed from the start to fostering a wide variety of philosophical approaches, and to developing links between philosophy and other disciplines. Philosophy at Essex has a well-established international reputation, and a strong record of educating graduate students at all levels. One indicator of the success and international standing of Philosophy at Essex is the large number of former PhD students who now hold academic posts around the world.  See here for student placements and testimonials.

In the most recent assessment of research activity (RAE 2008) we were ranked in the top ten Philosophy Departments in the UK. 55% of our research was deemed to be 'internationally excellent' and 25%, 'world-leading'. The ranking also established that Philosophy at Essex is the first in the UK for Continental Philosophy. See here for profiles of our current academic staff.

Research

In the last ten years Philosophy at Essex has attracted substantial research funding: between 2005 and 2008, it was home to an AHRC funded project (over £330K) on ‘Transcendental Philosophy and Naturalism’, headed by Professor Mark Sacks. Since 2010, Philosophy is home to another three-year AHRC funded project on 'Deciding for Oneself: Autonomous Judgment in History, Theory and Practice', led by Professor Wayne Martin and Dr Fabian Freyenhagen. This exciting project, funded in excess of £392K, involves (amongst other things) a series of conferences and workshops at Essex, in London and the US. See here for more on the Essex Autonomy Project.

Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy

Philosophy at Essex currently hosts the editorial operation of  Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy, currently in its 52nd year of publication (general editor: Wayne Martin). Inquiry has long been a high-impact journal, particularly in the area of interface between Anglo-American and Continental European philosophy – the main area of emphasis of the Philosophy at Essex.  Inquiry contributors include some of the most prominent figures on the contemporary philosophical scene, as well as emerging scholars.  Over the course of the current editorial tenure, Inquiry has received submissions from 39 countries around the world.

Our interests

A wide variety of philosophical viewpoints are represented in the department. Here are just some of those interests:

• Transcendental Idealism, Post-Kantian German Idealism, Phenomenology, recent French Philosophy, Critical Theory
• Classical philosophical questions about existence, the possibility of knowledge and the nature of logic and language
• Problems in social philosophy.
• Issues in moral and political philosophy.
• Philosophical problems arising from the study of human beings, their practical and moral lives and their literary and aesthetic forms of expression

The variety of our modules reflects this diversity. Some modules are traditional in conception, and aim to provide a basic understanding of philosophical problems as they are usually taught and discussed. Others are innovatory: they aim to break new ground, offering a fresh approach, and bring new problems under philosophical scrutiny. The content and structure of all our modules and courses are regularly reviewed: we would be glad to have your comments on them. See here for our current module directory.

Seminars, events and discussion groups

There are various opportunities for group discussions, outside lectures and classes (e.g. the Philosophy Society, Philosophy Seminars and Reading Groups). The fortnightly Philosophy Seminar is held on Thursday evenings, from 5.00-7.00 pm, with a mix of internal speakers (both faculty and research students) and external speakers. You are warmly invited to attend.

For graduate students at all levels our aim is to provide an academic atmosphere which helps them to meet the various challenges involved in philosophical studies. In addition to formal coursework on the MA courses, the MA Seminars in which both MA and more advanced students take part, and individual supervision of research students, there is a great deal of less formal activity which makes for a supportive and stimulating intellectual environment. There are frequent opportunities for contact with staff and for philosophical conversation, in an atmosphere which is both friendly and serious. And office hours are there to be used, whether for discussion of personal or of philosophical problems.

A number of special events, such as mini-course and conferences, are usually organised during the year. For up-to-date information, please check regularly the ‘News’ box on our homepage.  We hope you enjoy looking around our site!