Course Offered: B.A. (Honours) Philosophy
The Department of Philosophy is a symposium of knowledge and a space for sharing ideas and challenging them simultaneously. We have a diverse faculty with specialists in Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy, Logic, Western Philosophy, Philosophy of Consciousness, Aesthetics, Indian Philosophy, Buddhist Philosophy, Phenomenology, Greek Philosophy, Existentialism, and Moral Philosophy.
The curriculum is theoretical and research-intensive, with lively discussion as a regular factor of classroom learning. Assessments conducted involve the process of dissecting the arguments and information presented by the prescribed readings that are thoroughly taken up inside the classroom, researching new knowledge and perspective on the given topic, and finally learning and navigating academic writing and argument building. The aim of the papers that students take up in the three years of this degree, is to investigate philosophical foundations of ideas, concepts as well as commonly conceived understanding of academic themes that lead to students’ perspectives being transformed and their critical thinking and reflection skills getting enhanced.
The papers in the first year are offered as per the NEP curriculum. These include core papers namely Logic, Introduction to Philosophy, and Indian Philosophy. In addition to these, we also offer Generic Electives and Value Added Course papers namely Ethics in the Public Domain and Ethics and Culture.
The Department has a robust Student Union and other clubs which work and implement speaker sessions, interactive activities, and engaging events for the students all year around. Aletheia, the department’s annual academic meet is conducted with great zeal, where renowned experts and professors provide us with their precious time to impart unique ideas along with the celebration of World Philosophy Day where the spirit of the discipline is upheld. We have a Books and Documentary Club (BDC) that conducts regular reading circle sessions along with movie screenings and book exchanges to artistically and intellectually engage students. Additionally, we have a student-run annual academic journal, called Noesis, which consists of a board of student editors that compile and publish quality research papers yearly.
Philosophy is the mother of all subjects therefore a proficient understanding of the discipline leads to students being prepared to take up any and all academic and career prospects. Our students pursue careers in academia, research, law, marketing, journalism, publishing, public policy analysis, education, and teaching. Often our graduates either go on to pursue master’s degrees in various humanities and business disciplines or get placed in their desired companies as working professionals.
Throughout the academic year, the Department of Philosophy orchestrated a series of intellectually stimulating events, enriching the academic landscape and fostering a culture of critical inquiry. The year commenced with a concerted effort to enhance research writing skills. Dr. Nilanjan Bhowmick, led a session in October, focusing on meticulous planning, organisation, and clarity in writing. Building upon this foundation, later in October, Nanda Harish, an alumnus of the department, conducted a research-writing workshop. Here, participants were guided through the fundamental structures of research papers, enhancing their understanding and proficiency in scholarly writing. The department also organised a workshop for the Value Addition Course on ‘Art of Being Happy’ with Dr. Priti Dhawan, who engaged the students in Happiness Orientation. In September, the department hosted a speaker session with Dr. Ashwin Varghese, delving into the intricacies of Socratic irony as a method. The speaker drew insights from an ethnographic study of power, to deepen attendees’ understanding of philosophical inquiry methods. Subsequently, in October, Dr. Mayank Bora explored Frege and Russell’s perspectives on a philosophical puzzle, shedding light on foundational issues in the philosophy of language and logic to grapple with complex philosophical concepts and their implications.
The pinnacle of the academic year was Aletheia, the Annual Academic Meeting held in April 2024. Aletheia served as a platform for scholarly exchange and intellectual engagement, embodying the department’s commitment to fostering philosophical inquiry and nurturing a vibrant academic community. The first day commenced with the opening ceremony where a skit in collaboration with the children, of the NGO Chehel, was showcased revolving around the theme of an individual’s pursuit of their dreams. This was followed by a stimulating lecture by Professor Smita Sirker, exploring the intricate relationship between moral and causal intuitions in moral judgments. Attendees actively participated in discussions, grappling with philosophical tensions surrounding the attribution of responsibility within frameworks of moral and causal determinism.
Noesis’, the Annual Paper Presentation Competition showcased the research prowess of students from various institutions. Our esteemed judges evaluated the presentations, recognizing outstanding contributions to the philosophical discourse. The day was brought to a close with Dr. Tanu Jain’s session on mastering the UPSC optional paper which drew a packed auditorium, reflecting attendees’ eagerness for expert guidance. Day two continued the tradition of intellectual exploration with insightful talks by distinguished professors from Delhi University. Dr. Tarang Kapoor captivated the audience with an examination of dreams and imagination from philosophical and analytical perspectives. Dr. Eric Soreng’s interdisciplinary approach further enriched the discourse by integrating psychological insights into the philosophical exploration of dreams and imagination. In parallel with these sessions, competitions such as The Philosopher King, Policy Making, Group Discussion and Debate provided students with a platform to apply philosophical principles to contemporary issues.
The department association marked the ‘World Philosophy Day’ by coordinating a series of events beginning with a book exchange event, fostering intellectual exchange and dialogue among students and faculty. An essay writing competition themed ‘Humans of the Future’ and an inter-college philosophy conclave provided a platform for intellectual exchange, and dialogue among peers. In February 2024, the department organised a group discussion on Viksit Bharat @2047 themed ‘Vision for Tomorrow: Contextualizing Indian Philosophy’ and an essay writing competition on the same theme. Following that a seminar with Ms. Shambhavi Siddhida, an alumna, was organised, focusing on navigating corporate careers after graduation. 
The session provided valuable insights and guidance for students aspiring to enter the corporate sector, highlighting the relevance of philosophical inquiry in diverse career paths. Throughout the year, the Books and Documentaries Club organised a series of engaging events, including reading circle sessions, movie screenings, and discussions on philosophical and literary works.
| Name | Areas of interest |
| Dr. Jitendra Ram Associate Professor jitendraramlsr@gmail.com | Philosophy of Consciousness Publications and other works click here |
| Dr. Lipi Saxena Associate Professor (Teacher-in-charge) lipisaxena@lsr.du.ac.in | Ethics, Social and Political Philosophy, Logic Publications and other works click here |
| Ms. Rashmi Jayarajan Assistant Professor rashmijayarajan@lsr.du.ac.in | History of Western Philosophy, Aesthetics |
| Dr. Shruti Kapur Assistant Professor shrutikapur@lsr.du.ac.in | Indian Philosophy, Buddhist Theory of Consciousness, Phenomenology Publications and other works click here |
| Ms. Lizashree Hazarika Assistant Professor lizashreehazarika@lsr.du.ac.in | Applied Ethics, Greek Philosophy, Existentialism, Moral Philosophy Publications and other works click here |
| Dr. Shriddha Shah Assistant Professor shriddhashah@lsr.du.ac.in | Social and Political Philosophy, Epistemology, Metaphysics and their interrelations Publications and other works click here |
| Mr. Awadhesh Patel Assistant Professor awadheshpatel@lsr.du.ac.in | Indian Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Ethics, Applied ethics, Indian & Western Epistemology and Metaphysics. Indian Religion and Social Political Philosophy Publications and other works click here |
President – Minakshi Gupta
Secretary – Kanishka Kunwar
Treasurer – Chandani Kumari