About the Society The Philosophical Society of England
The Official Home Page !
Founded 1913
"Wisdom to Direct - Knowledge to Govern"
This page last checked & updated on: Monday, 09 September 2002
Contents;-
About "The Philosopher" Journal
In 1913 a number of professional scholars and amateur philosophers founded The Philosophical Society of England in order "to promote the study of practical philosophy among the general public". The Society helps to bring together professional philosophers and non-professionals, to bring philosophical ideas and problems to the public attention, and to encourage wider discussion of both traditional and topical philosophical issues.
The Society publishes its own journal, "The Philosopher", sets up local groups for lectures and discussions, and awards diplomas to those who complete an approved course of study. Membership is open to all. The cost of ordinary membership is £12 (pounds sterling) per annum (£8 for the unwaged): this includes receipt of The Philosopher journal which is normally published twice a year. A higher rate of £36 per annum applies to institutional subscribers such as libraries.
The Philosopher is the oldest general Philosophy Journal in the world. It provides a forum for short, original, brilliant and accessible articles (and, it is true, space for a few rather less good ones!) . The Philosopher believes in principle anything can be made clear to the interested reader, and that, in the words of the Society’s archivist, whilst the expression of obscurity is pardonable, the reverse is not. Articles are considered without discrimination as to subject matter or author. The only criterion is that it must be philosophical in method. The ever present threat of intellectual strangulation by the encroaching jungle of academic style - extensive footnotes and jargon-strewn indigestible prose - is vigorously hacked away at by the editorial team.
See extracts from the latest journal - Autumn 1997, Volume LXXXV No.2
Are the Topics
of Being and Consciousness Suitable for Inquiry? - Chris Ormell
Socratic
Dialogue - Dr Emerald Gibb
The Society offers the Diplomas of Associateship and Fellowship to members who successfully complete a course of study by correspondence. Initial credits towards the Associateship are granted to applicants who have some prior knowledge of philosophy. Fellowships are awarded to members who submit research dissertations of the required standard. Members working towards award of the Diplomas receive the support of a suitable mentor. No entry qualifications are required.
For some more information about a distance learning course run in association with the Society please click here and read about "Pathways to Philosophy".
If you would like further information about the society or are "thinking" about becoming a member please contact the Societies Registrar - Terry Tozer.
Socrates, in Athens in the fifth century BC, said, "the unexamined life is not worth living". He believed that the person who wished to live properly had a duty to themselves to examine and put to the test their beliefs and prejudices. If they did not do this, they would never know if whatever they did was the right thing, or even a rational thing to do. The philosopher examines the views we accept about the world and about human conduct and tries to see if they are rationally defensible.
The study of philosophy exercises one's rational faculties so that thinking becomes more interesting and easier to do. The philosopher questions what is often taken for granted, trying to find reasons for holding certain beliefs and for rejecting others. Philosophers try to find out the truth by arguing: they will argue about whether animals have rights and about whether time has a beginning, whether God's existence can be proved, and whether headaches are less real than tables and chairs. Thinking clearly about such issues will help us when we come to consider important matters that have direct bearing upon our everyday lives - perhaps some difficult moral or political concerns.
There are many benefits to studying philosophy. Most basically it may be said to develop one's human potential; but there are more specific benefits too. We are often required to think clearly and creatively in our own work to be organised and efficient and to make swift decisions: someone who has studied philosophy will probably be better at doing this, for these are the very same skills that philosophy develops. In our private lives we are sometimes faced with difficult decisions involving moral issues where emotional involvement's can cloud our judgement: the philosopher who has been trained to examine difficult moral problems and to search for rational solutions may be better able to cope.
Other interesting Philosophical sites;-
The Philosophy Now magazine - "a magazine of ideas" - Brilliant
Local Events (London Group) by Tim
Lebon
The Royal Institute of Philosophy
The Unofficial
Philosopher Journal Web Site
New Philosopher Journal Web Site
Home 