Learning outcomes

Masters of Philosophy
• [core competence 1: philosophical frame of reference] have a thorough knowledge of historical and current developments and debates in a number of the main philosophical disciplines;
• [core competence 2: philosophical-critical thinking] can independently critically read and interpret philosophical texts, form a judicious point of view on a philosophical theme and defend this in a balanced way;
• [core competence 3: research skills] can independently develop a specific philosophical problem, deepen their philosophical frame of reference in doing so and articulate and defend the results of this research in a scientifically sound way;
• [core competence 4: broadening and realization] can check their philosophical insights against current social developments and let them be enriched by it, they can apply and further develop their philosophical training in various social contexts.

The above-mentioned core competences are developed further into 12 competences representing a whole of knowledge, skills and attitudes.

1. The Master has a specialized and in depth knowledge of a number of central themes and questions in different disciplines of systematic philosophy and of the main international debates on the subject.

2. The Master has thorough insight in the mutual relations between the main philosophical disciplines and methods.

3. The Master can independently analyse philosophical texts, interpret them, place them in their historical, social and cultural context and critically evaluate them.

4. The Master can independently clarify philosophical problems, critically evaluate convictions, points of view and theories and test the validity, the rationality and the reasonableness of arguments.

5. The Master can critically question their own points of view and convictions and justify these in dialogue and in debate with other points of view and convictions.

6. The Master can expound and/or develop their knowledge and insight in function of a philosophical and/or social question, taking into account recent (international) developments in philosophy.

7. The Master can independently formulate a philosophical problem, constitute a scientifically sound and up-to-date corpus of scientific sources and develop a research strategy to develop the problem.

8. The Master can write a clear and coherent text on a general philosophical topic for a large audience.

9. The Master can write a thesis or an argumentative text on a specialized topic and justify this in a discussion with colleagues.

10. The Master can situate philosophical theories against the approach of other scientific disciplines and let their insight be impregnated by these.

11. The Master can analyse current social developments and debates from a philosophical reference framework and an interdisciplinary approach and participate in the philosophical and social debate.

12. The Master can apply and further develop their philosophical training in the work field and in various other social contexts.