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Philosophy, literally the love of wisdom, is an activity which aims at an understanding of ourselves, our relationships with one another, and our place in the world. It is centrally concerned with fundamental questions about such topics, critically investigating what other subjects and other human activities take for granted.
One benefit of studying Philosophy is that it introduces students to important and intriguing issues that are not dealt with at high schools or in other subjects—issues concerning the foundations of their thinking and living. Another is that it acquaints them with thinkers and ideas that are of significant historical importance. For most students, however, the main benefit of studying Philosophy is that it develops their powers of reasoning by forcing them to exercise those powers on especially difficult problems. After only a single course in Philosophy, diligent students are usually better at coming to grips with an argument, getting to the heart of an issue, exposing a fallacy and wrestling with a problem. Their critical capacities are generally enhanced, as are their powers of ordering their thoughts and presenting them in a clear, coherent, and well-organised form.
Philosophy at Wits
The Wits Philosophy Department is one of the best philosophy departments on the African continent; its members have doctorates from top international universities, and regularly publish their work in cutting-edge academic journals. The Department’s research strengths are in Ancient Philosophy, Ethics, Modern Philosophy, Philosophical Logic, Philosophy of Mind, and Philosophy of Science.