Nelson Mandela University
Why Philosophy Matters Today
In a world facing unprecedented ethical, social, environmental, and identity challenges, the ability to think critically and adapt creatively is more important than ever. At Nelson Mandela University, we believe philosophy is not just an academic discipline—it’s a way of life.
Philosophy doesn’t tell you what to think. It teaches you how to think clearly, ethically, and independently.
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Our Philosophical Approach
The Department of Philosophy at Nelson Mandela University understands itself as a department in an African university. As such, it places value on African philosophy. While we appreciate that other scholarships exist and endeavour to teach as many as we can, our primary focus is to educate our students in theories that help them resolve their own problems
We believe that:
• Critical thinking is not just intellectual—it’s ethical.
• Philosophy is a transformative practice that shapes how we live and relate to others.
• Binary thinking limits our understanding; we seek to hold opposites in creative tension.
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What You’ll Learn
The Department of Philosophy is located in the Humanities Faculty. At an undergraduate level, it is offered as a service module in other programmes. It is taken as a major offer in the BA General offering. You can then take it as an offering at postgraduate levels at Honours, Master's, and PhD. The essential skills that our program develops are as follows:
• Critical and creative thinking
• Close reading and interpretation
• Ethical reasoning
• Conceptual clarity and argumentation
• Adaptability in complex environments
These skills are vital in a world where knowledge evolves rapidly, and flexible, innovative thinking is key.
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Our Commitment
We are committed to nurturing a vibrant culture of philosophical critique and creativity. Our mission is to:
• Reimagine human being-in-the-world
• Promote just and sustainable living
• Engage with the natural world, the self, and society in transformative ways
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Join Us
Whether you're a prospective student, a curious thinker, or a lifelong learner, we invite you to explore philosophy with us.
Philosophy belongs everywhere—and to everyone.
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