Philosophy for prospective students
The faculty offers the best conditions for successful studies in Philosophy at LMU Munich - for many reasons.

The faculty offers the best conditions for successful studies in Philosophy at LMU Munich - for many reasons.
Philosophy is one of the oldest academic disciplines. As a meta-discipline, it explores the most general and universal principles underlying the world and human life, and discusses the scope and validity of claims to knowledge in areas such as metaphysics, nature, science, society, history, ethics, law, art and more. But philosophy does not just teach "thinking" exclusively - several other disciplines also do this - but, ideally, "thinking about thinking".
Philosophy clearly has a lot to do with asking questions. While scientists answer questions through experiment and observation, philosophers answer questions by thinking. In the process, however, thinking is also called into question: how far can thought go? What is valid thought, what is truth?
© Susanne Neumair
Philosophy is always raising new questions. Not only in regard to itself, but also about other disciplines, about everyday life, societal issues and history. This has repeatedly given rise to schools of thought during its history. For example, ethics is an area of philosophy which deals with the question: what is a good action? Or, for instance, logic, with its questions about the form and principles of language.
Today, the "love of wisdom" is an academic field with a comprehensive history and an immense diversity of areas of reaserch, fundamental questions and disciplines. Our Bachelor program in Philosophy (Philosophy major) and our Bachelor Minor in Philosophy (30 and 60 ECTS) provide students with the academic foundations to work independently on philosophical problems and questions.
For students with a background in philosophy who have already completed a first degree, the faculty offers a Master program in Philosophy, as well as the special Master programs Theoretical Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy and Logic and Philosophy of Science.
Faculty 10 at LMU offers the best conditions for successful academic study of philosophy because:
If you have questions or need advice about studying philosophy at LMU, you can also contact the (general) academic advisor, Dr. Thomas Wyrwich.
Ideally, you should take up studies in philosophy if you can confidently say that you have a passion for philosophical problems and look forward to engaging with long and substantial texts. You should also be interested in and enjoy writing theoretical and abstract work yourself. In the ideal case, studying philosophy is an end in itself, like any other course of study in the humanities. Of course, philosophy students should also consider their career and post-graduation livelihood during their studies. However, these considerations will depend strongly on personal skills and interests:
Most Philosophy graduates who obtain a good degree (within the standard program duration) will also find an interesting job. The following principle applies here: those who already show the necessary independence and initiative during their studies will often do the same in exploring future career options, for instance by targeted applications to internships. As a philosopher, you are always a self-organiser. Moreover, students starting a degree directly after school should keep in mind that it is always possible to obtain a further qualification after graduating from a Bachelor program: this could be in the form of a Master or even PhD program in Philosophy, or in a completely different professional field.
The following volume can also potentially give you more concrete inspiration with its reports from twelve Philosophy graduates who have settled into a range of careers: Klausener, Helge (ed.): Berufe für Philosophen, Darmstadt: WBG 2004.
Text: Thomas Wyrwich
Traditonally, LMU Campus Day takes place at the beginning of February. The subject of Philosophy is represented with a talk about studying philosophy at LMU, a sample lecture in academic philosophy as well as an information stand, where we are more than happy to advise you.
Student advisor and Philosophy degree program coordinator
In 2011, the full-time philosophy professors who teach at Faculty 10 were asked to name between five and ten classic works from the history of philosophy which they see as particularly central and relevant. The list was updated and expanded in 2020. The following overall list shows the result. Works which were named especially frequently and by different professors appear in bold.
1. Go beyond the modules you are taking (e.g. by attending special lectures).
2. Allow yourself to pursue a particular topic over several semesters during your BA and later during your MA (if you continue your studies).
3. Regardless of tip 2, also be open for diverse philosophical fields! (Especially during the BA.)
4. Avoid treating the collection of module credits as the highest philosophical virtue.
5. But equally avoid "spreading yourself too thinly" - here's a simple test for a seminar: have I read and prepared the given text in its entirety?
6. Experience teaches that courses tend to "empty out" during the course of the semester. Those who are interested in the topic can usually work well together!
7. Start your own private reading groups, keep in contact with other students and with the Student Council (Fachschaft).
8. Voluntary placements and studies abroad are always good!
9. Read the information sheets and mailing-list messages which the degree program coordinator sends to your campus email address at a tolerable frequency.
10. If things get too confusing for you in philosophy: remember the pianist! A good musician doesn't have to be able to play every instrument.