British Philosophy Fortnight
17th-30th March 2025
#PhilosophyMatters
#PhiloFortnight2025
British Philosophy Fortnight is a new annual initiative to celebrate, promote and champion philosophy. British Philosophy Fortnight will raise awareness of what philosophy is and why it matters. Philosophy matters intrinsically, as a vibrant intellectual discipline, and extrinsically, providing crucial skills for living in complex worlds and for responding to pressing global challenges, from pandemics to climate change.
More details and pages coming soon, including:
- launch events in Parliament and Senate House
- videos
- policy requests
- information for journalists and media
- lists of events
- special resources for school teachers
Philosophy is an exciting subject, which provides the skills to think big, to question why things are the way they are and to ask how they should be. Philosophy is a broad discipline, with elements of STEM (logic and philosophy of mind), social science (political philosophy and ethics), and humanities (aesthetics). Studying philosophy provides key skills which employers value. Studies in the US show that philosophy graduates are employed at a similar rate to business graduates (Career Success Point 1 – Study the Humanities) and, when considered over time, earn more than business graduates (Career Success Point 3 – Study the Humanities). That philosophy is exciting and provides skills for future success is shown by the fact that students continue to vote with their feet and choose to study philosophy (HESA table 52).
Studying philosophy, whether in formal education or informally for personal interest, improves understanding of complex issues and increases well-being. The Philosophy Garden is aimed at the youngest children. SAPERE provides resources for teaching children from the early years onwards. The Association of Philosophy Teachers supports a vibrant community for teaching older children and young adults. Studying philosophy improves lives, and is taught in prisons and in communities, as well in traditional teaching spaces such as schools and universities.
Philosophy complements other disciplines and methods of inquiry. For instance, philosophers of mind are working with AI companies to develop new technologies, and to imagine how human beings will transform in light of such changes, as well as to think about the benefits and threats of such developments. Similarly, philosophers are working with policymakers, to determine how to improve well-being and to distribute resources in times of scarcity. Very few questions can be addressed by science alone. Even initiatives that seem scientific, for example, developing vaccines to respond to deadly pandemics, need philosophy. Science can develop a vaccine, but it can’t tell us how to distribute it. Should it be given first to the most vulnerable, those most likely to die, or perhaps, to the most valuable, those who will ensure the survival of the human race, such as healthcare workers or food producers, or should we allow those who can afford it to purchase it? These are philosophical and ethical questions. Philosophy is invaluable when hard choices have to be made, and philosophers routinely partner with policy-makers, industry, NGOs, and activists to ensure strategies and initiatives are well designed, and without disastrous unintended consequences. To learn more about how philosophy makes real world difference see: The Impact of UK Philosophy – British Philosophical Association.
British Philosophy Fortnight brings together philosophers from all walks of life, including schools, universities, business and the media, to showcase philosophy teaching, research and its impact and relevance for how we live and who we think we are. It is coordinated by the British Philosophy Association, with events and initiatives taking place across the UK. The first British Philosophy Fortnight will run from 17th to 30th March, 2025. Please feel free to join any events, and put on your own events, as individuals, schools, universities, community groups, and other bodies.
