Middlesex University are in the process of committing an act of intellectual treason on a par with mass book-burning.
On 26th April, philosophy staff at Middlesex University were informed that all philosophy programmes were to be closed to new students immediately, as the first step in phasing out the entire department. Oh well, just another unavoidable consequence of the recession and the ensuing education funding cuts, right? Well, yes and no; the closure was justified on ‘simply financial’ grounds by the Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, despite the department being (pardon my French) fucking good.
No subject at Middlesex received a higher research rating, and no philosophy MA programme in the UK is larger. Perhaps even more importantly, the department is one of the few in the country that throws itself into the world of ‘continental’ philosophy (as opposed to the ‘Anglo-American’ side common across the country). In the Dean’s eyes, though, these are not ‘measurable’ benefits. Yes, that’s right: the university doesn’t measurably benefit from good research or distinctive programmes, apparently. You can be less cynical if you want, but I’m going to guess that when the old boy says ‘measurable’, he means ‘profitable’.
Dr Nina Powers, who received her PhD from Middlesex and is now a Senior Lecturer at Roehampton, is spearheading the media side of a campaign in defence of the department, having written a comment piece for The Guardian’s website; she describes the move as ‘a step back to when philosophy meant white men discussing formal logic over sherry’. Exaggeration perhaps? I may be a white man, and I’ve done my share of formal logic, but I’ve definitely never drunk sherry. But Dr Power has a point – Middlesex is an ex-poly and has a large proportion of mature or low-income students. The department specifically and critically addresses questions such as why philosophy is still so dominated by white males; not only this, but its courses touch on critical theory, radical philosophy, and links with other sensitive areas outside the domain of the traditional ‘what is knowledge?’ ivory-tower. It is unique and well-respected. Is it possible that the department is seen as ‘difficult’ or ‘embarrassing’ at times, and this is a factor in closing it? If so, surely this is a disastrous blow to academic freedom?
This is what happens when universities are run like businesses. The ‘market logic’ is becoming deeper and deeper engrained in our higher education system – fees, loans, sponsorship, etc. The whole education system is becoming uncomfortably strained as it tries to fulfil our intellectual desires without departing from the uber-pragmatic approach necessary to compete in a dog-eat-dog economy. On the one hand, we are pulled towards pure academia: knowledge for its own sake, the human yearning for discovery and invention. On the other hand we are chained against our will to profit, short-term financial viability, and the managerial yearning for obscene wages and job perks. But the simple fact is the market cannot predict what may be of value to us in the future, or how people’s lives may be enriched by abstract cultural factors.
Much like Sussex students (who have waged a high-profile and successful struggle against the cuts), it seems the continental philosophers won’t go down without a fight. At the time of writing, 4 days after the decision was announced, the ‘Save Middlesex philosophy’ Facebook group has nearly 6,000 members and statements of support have been made by various academics from around the world. University and Colleges Union (UCU) members around the country are either set to walk out or itching for the opportunity; I’d put good money on Middlesex UCU joining them. And with students campaigning against cuts at other universities in the London area (including UCL, Kings College, Westminster, etc) it surely can’t be long before Middlesex students follow their example too. Here’s to a united stand against the ‘shameful’ closure of an outstanding department.
Until then, anyone want a sherry?
yawn, who cares about philosophy!
haha, at Cambridge it basically IS white middle class, predominately men, drinking sherry and fine wines!!! and I do philosophy! And having come from another university, it was the same, but they just drank cheaper wines, and probably no sherry! I have come to realise that philosophy is actually pretty useless, and if Middlesex university needs to make some cuts in order to survive, I feel like it shouldn't be a department that actually contributes something to society. Imagine a book on philosophy called 'Everything achieved in the last 4000 years.' I think it would be incredibly short compared to 'Everything achieved in science in the last 4000 years.' And no, I am not an arts and humanities basher- I can't think of any other arts and humanities subjects that don't contribute anything to society!
haha, at Cambridge it basically IS white middle class, predominately men, drinking sherry and fine wines!!! and I do philosophy! And having come from another university, it was the same, but they just drank cheaper wines, and probably no sherry! I have come to realise that philosophy is actually pretty useless, and if Middlesex university needs to make some cuts in order to survive, I feel like it shouldn't be a department that actually contributes something to society. Imagine a book on philosophy called 'Everything achieved in the last 4000 years.' I think it would be incredibly short compared to 'Everything achieved in science in the last 4000 years.' And no, I am not an arts and humanities basher, its just I can't think of any other arts and humanities subjects that don't contribute anything to society!
You say you do philosophy yet you know nothing about the subject and the impact it has on society. The governments we have now, and specifially the United States' is due to philosophers such as Locke. The first Universities were inspired by non other than philosophers; Socrates and Plato. Our understanding of linguistics and of what standards science should reach for itself to be classed as science which are all curcial to the way our society has developed have been examined through philosophy. I won't go into the non financial gains of studying philosophy because they will obviously be lost on a financially obsessed individual such as yourself, but the impact philosophy has had on the development of societies and of our interaction with others and the world has been tremendous.
@ better be anonymous. Perhaps you could learn not to enter comments twice and not share your stupid views with the rest of humanity.
And the fact that you are anonymous only demonstrates the cowardice of your views.
No William, philosophy is borderline useful. Get rid of it say!
ummm I am not in the least bit financially obsessed. You two are drawing quite strange conclusions about me. William, wouldn't you be anonymous if you were saying something negative about your course whilst still on it? Don't you think that could jeopardise things? Also, I can say the same thing right back at you- thanks for sharing your stupid view about me with the rest of humanity. Not that I'd count about the 15 people who read this as 'the rest of humanity.'
I am also an anti-capitalist I don't think that there is anyone who knows me that would say that I am financially obsessed. If I had it my way, everyone would be paying higher taxes and put more money into public services.
I'm saying that if cuts do have to be made, philosophy is a great subject to cut.
Because:
a) I do not doubt that in the past philosophers were useful, but they were polymaths! I think that philosophical ideas might be useful but I reckon these days Plato and Socrates would be scientists if anything.
b) The useful bits of philosophy can always be taught in modules in other courses- eg a philosophy of science module in a science degree, a philosophy module in a linguistics degree, a philosophy module in literature, a philosophy module on aesthetics in art. Why do you actually need the subject philosophy by itself?
So which department would you all cut then?
I think the money would be better spent given to schools.
I don't understand how 'better be anonymous' got admitted to study philosophy. The skills that a philosophy degree equip you with (if you're not a complete idiot) are unique and are growing in popularity (EVEN though you say you're not financially obsessed) with employers. That's without even mentioning the significant effect CONTEMPORARY philosophy has on policy-making, such as Williams' work on censorship, and a number of philosophers being consulted in the field of bioethics. As GuestMR says, there's probably not any point describing the other undeniable effect that philosophy has had on the shaping of whole societies.