BSc Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method

This BSc Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method gives you the chance to examine deep philosophical questions alongside top researchers in the field.

You’ll engage in wide-ranging philosophical debates encompassing ethics, science and justice, such as:

• What is the nature of reality?
• Is time travel possible?
• What is the justification for punishment?
• Can beliefs be morally wrong?
• What is the role of values in science?

During your studies, you’ll sharpen your skills in logical reasoning and argumentation, essay writing and speaking, and learn how to engage critically with difficult ideas. We encourage you to think outside the box and approach philosophical debates from different angles.

You’ll draw on our interdisciplinary knowledge across the social sciences and specialist expertise in the philosophy of science, moral and political philosophy and logic, decision theory and social choice.

Founded by Professor Sir Karl Popper in 1946, our department is internationally respected for its teaching and research in philosophy. LSE was ranked top in the UK and third in the world for philosophy in the QS World University Rankings 2023. Our graduates progress to many rewarding careers in finance, accounting, management consulting, IT and tech, as well as postgraduate research.

You can read about recent research and events involving Faculty members on the  LSE Philosophy Blog.

Listed below are texts that serve as good introductions to the various areas of philosophy.

Classics

• R Descartes Meditations (any edition)
• D Hume An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding and An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals (any editions)
• J S Mill On Liberty (any edition)
• Plato The Republic, translated and edited by Robin Waterfield (Oxford Paperbacks)
• K Popper Conjectures and Refutations: the growth of scientific knowledge (Routledge, 2003)
• A Smith The Theory of Moral Sentiments (any edition)

General philosophy and philosophical tools

• T Nagel What Does It All Mean? (Oxford University Press, 1987)
• R M Sainsbury Paradoxes (Cambridge University Press, 2009)
• B Skyrms Choice and Chance: an introduction to inductive logic (Wadsworth, 2000)

Moral philosophy

• T Nagel Mortal Questions (Canto, 1991)
• B Williams Morality: an introduction to ethics (Canto, 1993)
• J Wolff An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Oxford University Press, 2006)
• A Voorhoeve Conversations on Ethics (Oxford University Press, 2011)

Philosophy of science

• A Chalmers What is this thing called Science? (Oxford University Press, 2006)
• S Okasha Philosophy of Science: a very short introduction (Oxford Paperbacks, 2002)

Preliminary listening

• The lecture 'Science and Pseudoscience' by the late LSE philosopher Imre Lakatos
• An interview 'Is Inequality Bad' on Philosophy Bites with Alex Voorhoeve
• The lecture 'Free Will in a Deterministic Universe?' by Christian List
• An interview on 'Scientific Method' on BBC’s 'In Our Time' with speakers John Worrall, Michela Massimi and Simon Schaffer
• An interview on 'Game Theory' with Melvyn Bragg on BBC’s 'In Our Time' with speakers Richard Bradley, Ian Stewart and Andrew Colman
• An interview on 'Catholicism and HIV'  on Philosophy Bites with Luc Bovens
• An interview, 'Understanding Decisions' on Philosophy Bites with Richard Bradley
• An interview, 'Trolleys, killing and the doctrine of double effect', on OpenLearn 'Ethics Bites' with Mike Otsukate

Founded by Sir Karl Popper in 1946, the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method is consistently ranked among the top places in the world to study philosophy.

Our research and teaching embody LSE’s long tradition of analytic, interdisciplinary and socially engaged philosophy.

We have particular strengths in:

• the philosophy of natural and social sciences
• logic
• moral and political philosophy
• epistemology
• decision and game theory
• social choice.

Some of the world’s leading thinkers and social reformers have taught or studied at LSE – including Beatrice Webb, Bertrand Russell and, of course, Karl Popper. Today, we offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, attracting high-calibre students from across the globe.

Located in the heart of London, LSE provides one of the most exciting places in the world to study for your philosophy degree. We were ranked second in the UK in the Good University Guide 2024 and third in the QS World University Rankings 2023.

Our research is internationally renowned. We were ranked joint third overall in the UK for the quality and impact of our research in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021).

LSE has some of the best outcomes for philosophy graduates in the UK. Our graduates find rewarding and interesting careers in government, the public sector, education, teaching, NGOs and charities, and research.

Learn more about our undergraduate, MSc and PhD programmes and research.

Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form, such as:

• academic achievement, including predicted and achieved grades (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• subjects and subject combinations (also see specific information about this programme in the "entry requirements" above)
• your personal statement
• your teacher’s reference
• educational circumstances

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage. See our English language requirements page.

We’re looking for students who demonstrate:

• an awareness of and genuine interest in philosophical issues
• logical and independent thinking
• intellectual curiosity
• a willingness to read extensively and to evaluate and challenge conventional views
• an ability to follow complex lines of reasoning
• self-motivation and a willingness to work hard.

Formative coursework

All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. This helps prepare you for summative assessment. We use a wide range of formative assessment methods, such as essays, case studies, reports, quizzes and mock exams.

Feedback on coursework is an essential part of the learning experience. Class teachers mark formative coursework and feedback is normally given within two weeks – provided the work is submitted on time.

Summative assessment

This counts towards your final course mark and degree award.

Summative assessment varies depending on the course. Typically, you’ll have an essay for each course (due at the beginning of May) and an exam in June.

For each course, you’ll complete several essays and/or exercises as part of your class work.

Assessment on individual courses can change from year to year. You’ll receive feedback on summative coursework as part of the assessment for individual courses (except on final submitted dissertations). Feedback is normally provided before the examination period.

Learn more about the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course in the relevant course guide.

Find out more about LSE’s teaching and assessment methods.

A philosophy degree will prepare you with serious training for a number of important transferable skills such as creative problem solving, critical analysis, argument construction and persuasive writing.

Our graduates have excellent job prospects. A recent Guardian survey ranks us as the Department with far and away the best job prospects in the UK for philosophy graduates. Recent graduates have gone on to work in banking and financial services, government, management consultancy, media and education, and have also proved very successful in gaining entry to graduate programmes.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.