The London School of Economics and Political Science is one of the world's leading research and teaching centres in the social sciences. Situated in the heart of London, its location and academic reputation make it a most exciting place to study.
The Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method at LSE
Karl Popper, the founder of the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, moved to the LSE after publishing The Logic of Scientific Discovery (1935), The Poverty of Historicism (1944) and The Open Society and its Enemies (1945). Popper was one the foremost defenders of democratic liberalism in political philosophy, which made the London School of Economics and Political Science a natural home for him. Critical rationalism was the cornerstone not only of his political philosophy but also of his views on the nature and practice of the natural and the social sciences. It was through Popper's efforts that falsificationism entered public consciousness as the defining criterion of the nature of science. Both he and his successor Imre Lakatos, who joined the department in 1960, were instrumental in shaping 20th century philosophy of science.
The Department's longstanding reputation in the philosophy of natural science is now matched by its strength in the philosophy of economics and social science, most notably in methodology and rational choice theory and philosophy of public policy. We are committed to teaching and research that makes a significant difference not only in philosophy and the philosophies of the various sciences, but also in the practice of the sciences themselves-from economics and political science to physics, biology and medicine.
The range of postgraduate masters degrees offered by the Department reflects its strengths: it offers four different MSc programmes, each dedicated to the teaching of one of its particular specialties. The MSc programmes are complemented by a PhD programme which creates an active intellectual environment with students working in philosophy of science, philosophy of physics, philosophy of economics, philosophy and public policy, rational choice and scientific methodology.
The Department is closely associated with the Centre for the Philosophy of the Natural and the Social Sciences|, which hosts leading visiting scholars and supports a range of research projects, seminars and lecture series, and with the Forum for European Philosophy|, which runs a full and varied programme of philosophy and interdisciplinary events aimed at the general public. The Department administers the prestigious Lakatos prize for an outstanding book in philosophy of science and hosts the annual Auguste Comte Memorial Lectures by a leading scholar in the philosophy of social science.
London provides a philosophical environment that is beyond compare. The Department is a member of the Institute of Philosophy in the School of Advanced Study| in the University of London, which organises a large number of conferences, seminars, and public lectures every year, and which supports lecture series such as the Logic and Metaphysics Forum and the Aesthetics Forum. Other London Colleges run seminars and lectures that are open to LSE students, and the meetings of the Aristotelian Society, the Royal Institute of Philosophy, as well as the British Society for the Philosophy of Science are held in London.
Academic Staff|: Dr Jason McKenzie Alexander|, Professor Nick Baigent|, Professor Richard Bradley|, Professor Luc Bovens|, Professor Nancy Cartwright|, Dr Franz Dietrich|, Dr Roman Frigg|, Professor Wulf Gaertner|, Professor Christian List|, Professor David Makinson|, Dr Kristina Musholt|, Dr Miklos Redei|, Dr Armin Schulz|, Dr Katie Steele|, Dr Alex Voorhoeve|, Professor John Worrall|, and Dr Charlotte Werndl|.
Visiting Staff and Associates|: Catherine Audard| (Chair of the Forum for European Philosophy), Ken Binmore| (Visiting Professor), Karin Edvardsson Björnberg| (Marie Curie Fellow), Adam Caulton| (Jacobsen Fellow), Marc Fleurbaey| (Visiting Professor), Erik Martin| (Research Officer CPNSS), Marie Milofsky| (Guest Teacher), Michael Redhead| (Visiting Professor), Max Steuer| (Visiting Fellow), and George Zouros| (LSE Fellow in LSE100).
Cognate Faculty|: Christopher Brown| (International Relations), Janet Coleman| (Ancient & Medieval Political Thought), Katrin Flikschuh| (Modern Political Theory), Simon Glendinning| (European Philosophy), David Held| (Government), Paul Kelly| (Political Theory), Chandran Kukathas| (Political Theory), Mary Morgan| (History of Economics), Anne Phillips| (Political and Gender Theory), Kai Spiekermann| (Political Philosophy) and Lea Ypi| (Political Theory).
Rankings
Philosophical Gourmet Report 2009|: 1st in the world for Philosophy of the Social Science|; Group 2 for General Philosophy of Science|; Group 2 for Decision, Rational Choice, and Game Theory|; Group 3 for Philosophy of Physics|.
A. Independent University League and Subject Tables:
1. LSE–Philosophy received the highest score (86) of any Philosophy Department in the UK on Graduate Prospects in the University League and Subject Tables followed by Oxford (82) and Durham (78).
2. In overall scores, LSE-Philosophy placed second with a score of 98.1, with Oxford in first place (100) and Cambridge in third place (94.9).
3. Within the LSE, the graduate prospects score for Philosophy (86) is comparable to the scores for Economics (90), Accounting and Finance (88) and Mathematics (84). Click here| for more information.
B. Guardian University Guide:
LSE-Philosophy scored third in the Guardian University Guide. Click here| for more information.
Programmes of study
The department offers Undergraduate courses| in Philosophy, Logic & Scientific Method| (see pg. 94) and in Philosophy and Economics| (see pg. 96), one-year Postgraduate courses| in Philosophy of Science|, in Philosophy of the Social Sciences|, in Economics and Philosophy|, and in Philosophy and Public Policy|.
Furthermore, the Philosophy and Government Departments partnered in launching a new BSc in Politics and Philosophy| in 2009.
Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science
The Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science|, which hosts its own research fellows, and organises conferences and seminar series is closely associated with the Department, with Rom Harré as the CPNSS Director.
Forum for European Philosophy
The Forum for European Philosophy| runs a full and varied programme of philosophy and interdisciplinary events aimed at the general public.
Enquiries
Incoming students may view the Philosophy Orientation Timetable here|.
If you have any enquiries, please contact the department at philosophy-dept@lse.ac.uk|.
For further information on undergraduate philosophy courses and details on how to apply please see our Undergraduate courses| page and the 2011 Undergraduate Prospectus| (starting at pg. 94).
For further information on graduate philosophy courses and details on how to apply please see our Postgraduate courses| page and the Graduate Prospectus.
LSE also offers an admissions enquiries| site for prospective undergraduates and postgraduates. Here you will find lots of information on the application process, answers to frequently asked questions, and much more.
Equality of opportunity
The department is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity among its students, academic and support staff. Discrimination of any kind is not permitted, and if suspected will be the subject of rigorous investigation, with the appropriate school bodies being informed if necessary. The department has an equality officer, who is an academic staff member, and each year student representatives are be elected to take responsibility for issues relating to equality of opportunity.