Department of Philosophy

Welcome to the website of the Philosophy Department at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

In this vestibule to our website, you can find out about what philosophy is and why it is worth studying even if you do not want to become a (professional) philosopher. Elsewhere on our website you can learn more about the Department, its people and its various activities.

Latest Departmental News:

• Dr Ryan Nefdt is one of the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of South Africa for 2021

• Dr Ryan Nefdt has been selected as one of the 21 Top Nominees for the 2021 JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons of South Africa (JCI SA TOYP) Awards

• Dr Ryan Nefdt is awarded the 2020/21 Dean's Teaching Award

• Dr Ryan Nefdt is awarded the 2020/21 HSRC/USAf Medal for Humanities and Social Sciences for Contributions by an Emerging Researcher

• Dr Greg Fried leaves the Department

• Dr Ryan Nefdt receives a P-rating from the NRF

• Dr Ryan Nefdt elected a UCT College of Fellows Young Researcher

• Dr Ryan Nefdt - New Stanford Encyclopedia Author

• Dr Ryan Nefdt wins The Humanities Faculty Emerging Researcher Award 

• Dr Greg Fried discusses God with Professor John Lennox

• Business Ethics team wins UCT Collaborative Educational Practice Award

• Jimmy Winfield wins Distinguished Teachers Award

• Greg Fried and Lisa Lazarus win National Arts Festival Short.Sharp.Stories Award

• Mourning the death of Dr Augustine Shutte

• Philosophy in Africa, Africa in Philosophy

• Anna Hartford awarded UCT Research Associateship

• Social Equality Conference: 15-17 August 2014

• Philosophy of Race - a new undergraduate course

• Elisa Galgut re-elected President of the PSSA

• The PPE Humanities Colloquium 2013

• Cindy Gilbert and Liz Gubb Ace Second Xhosa course

• Jeremy Wanderer wins Distinguished Teachers Award

• Elisa Galgut inspires better treatment of baboons

• Kyle Blumberg awarded UCT Research Associateship

• Cindy Gilbert and Liz Gubb Ace Xhosa course

• Bernhard Weiss delivers inaugural lecture

• Philosophy Department has moved

• Elisa Galgut elected as President of PSSA

• PPE Essay Competition 2011-2012

• The PPE Colloquium 2011

• Jessica Lerm and Jenni Sinclaire awarded UCT Research Associateships

• Meritorious publication award for Jeremy Wanderer

• Conference: On Hacking's 'Style(s) of Thinking', 30-31 March 2011

• Two promotions

• Foundations in Philosophy programme featured in Social Responsiveness Report