Master of Arts (Honours) -Philosophy and Linguistics (VQ51)

Philosophy has been at the core of Western intellectual life for at least 2,500 years. It is central to the understanding of the world and the place and interaction of individuals within it.

Philosophy provides the tools for systematically and critically examining the presuppositions of all areas of intellectual and practical activity. Different approaches have been taken by philosophers, but a characteristic of philosophy is the emphasis on the use of: • Argument

• Critical enquiry

• Rigor in reasoning

• Clarity of expression, including the making of pertinent distinctions

Linguistics examines the workings of language. It explores how sounds, words, sentences, and conversations combine to express and create meaning.

The field of linguistics studies: • The uses of language in everyday life

• The ways in which language varies across society and evolves over time