Research Master'sPhilosophy of Mind and Language
In this Philosophy Research master’s specialisation you will explore explicit connections to developments in cognitive neuroscience and linguistics and explore the richness of language and communication from a social and evolutionary perspective.
Something for you?
- This is the only research master’s in the Netherlands specifically focused on philosophy of mind and cognition.
- Our staff works closely together with the prestigious Donders Institute.
- You’ll study the study the essence of language, that is, the ways in which we use language to communicate and cooperate.
- All research master students are assisted by a personal supervisor.
- This Research master’s specialisation is part of a broader Research Master’s programme.
- 60 EC's of the courses are tailored to academic research.
- The Radboud University campus offers an exceptionally rich environment for studying language in all its aspects, with the Centre for Language Studies, the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, and the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistcs.
- The programme offers a lively, international environment.
- This programme scores above average compared to the national average (Source: Keuzegids Masters 2024)
Admission requirements
Do you want to know if you can be admitted? Read more about the admission requirements of this programme.
Admission & ApplicationApply now
If you have determined that you can be admitted with your previous education, you can apply via Studielink.
Apply nowFactsheet
- Main language
- English
- Study duration
- 2 years (120 EC)
- Start
- February, September
- Number of students
- 14
- Programme format
- Full time
- Degree
- Master of Arts, specialisation of Research Master's in Philosophy
- Faculty
- Faculty of Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies
- CROHO code
- 60128
- Accreditation
- NVAO
What will you learn
Traditionally, philosophy of mind is part of the analytical tradition in philosophy. Recently, however, a more phenomenological approach to typical questions in the philosophy of mind has provided a refreshing new look on old topics. The advance of cognitive neuroscience is also leaving its trace in the way old questions are posed and answered. Therefore, the research Master’s in Philosophy of Mind and Language combines traditional analytical theorising with insights from phenomenology and the empirical sciences. Language is without doubt one of our most complex achievements, but at the end of the day, it’s all about what we do with it, how we use language to understand, comfort, criticise, and manipulate each other. Language is an immensely complicated tool for doing all these things, and more. We talk all the time. Language is our main form of social interaction. In the Master’s specialisation in Philosophy of Mind Language you’ll explore the richness of language from a social and evolutionary perspective.
Study ProgrammeFuture career opportunities
This programme is designed for students who wish to acquire the skills needed for a career in research, either in academia or elsewhere. The training you receive in conducting academic philosophical research will give you a head start in a search for a PhD position, but your analytical, conceptual and investigative skills also open up a wider range of career opportunities.
In recent years around 40% of graduates have chosen to continue in academia by pursuing a PhD position (with a success rate of nearly 90%). Many others have chosen to apply their skills elsewhere, in government, journalism, teaching, think tanks, NGOs, IT, consultancy and as strategists, researchers, or policy makers in a host of other fields.
Your network of Research Master’s alumni and the reputation of the philosophy departments at Radboud University will definitely serve you well, whichever career path you choose.
Here, you can read more about the experiences of former student Sümer Şen.
Career prospectsResearch
All of the research related to this specialisation is related to the section Philosophy of Mind and Language, which focuses on the context-dependence of the interpretation of linguistic and non-linguistic behaviour. The research carried out in this section covers a number of traditional topics: mental causation, perception of, for example, colour, phenomenal consciousness and qualia, theories of mind, mental content and the nature of folk-psychology.
Our research is closely related to ongoing research in the field of cognitive neuroscience. As neuroscientists probe ever deeper into the workings of our brain new philosophical questions arise. Questions, for instance, about the reach of neuroscientific research on classic philosophical issues such as the nature of free will.
Thesis subjects in Philosophy of Mind and Language
Recent master’s theses (publishable articles) were about the following themes:
- Social cognition
- Understanding other minds (embodied perspective)
- Psychopathology (embodied perspective)
- Interdependence of culture and cognition
- Phenomenal consciousness
- Taxonomies in cognitive neuroscience
- Why don’t people lie more often?
- The evolutionary origins of cooperation
- Language and awareness
- Language and the law
- The evolution of shared meaning
- Communication in chimpanzees
- Everyday confabulation
Questions about this programme?
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ContactTuitions & grants
If you are going to follow this Master's programme, you will pay an annual tuition fee. There are different tuition rates. The amount depends on your personal situation.
Tuition & Grants