Personal Statement:Philosophy Statement 12

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

It is not that I always had a passion for philosophy; rather I fell into my absolute fascination with the discipline. On a college open day I was searching for the A-level psychology talk, but mistakenly stumbled into the philosophy department and left besotted by the subject. Philosophy had and continues to excite me because it is a fruitful and seemingly infinite study of life; a subject that extends beyond literature, or could be limited to introspection. Greek philosophy is a particularly intriguing area of study, despite its 2000-year age, as lines of thought still remain current. Aristotle, a father of Western Philosophy, was one of the first philosophers to initiate discussion on how man is able to flourish- the key to this being philosophical thought. If we are able to logically reflect on our actions, and ourselves, we become able to improve morally. This curiosity is seemingly woven into our DNA, and arguably extends beyond moral development. Whether conscious of it or not, with practical undertakings, we anatomize our lives in order to enhance them, much like Aristotle supposed. Since undertaking philosophy at A-level and realising the importance of philosophical thought, I have only become more eager to explore, broaden and attempt to somewhat satisfy my own intellectual curiosity. After reading Descartes' meditations and studying the topic at A-level, philosophy of mind became of particular interest to me, as it attempts to satisfy the fundamental question of what we, as humans, are. The debate as to whether the mind is purely physical, or if it is possible that our mind operates outside the laws of physics, is dynamic and after reading Free Will, by Sam Harris, my position evolved. It seems we cannot consistently conclude that we are exclusively physical, with the notion of free will. For if the mind is merely physical, then chemical processes account for our actions. Yet, this explanation seems to deny the diversity and contradictions we experience from humanity throughout history. So, while Descartes' Meditations may appear outdated with scientific advances, it seems that Descartes' theory, that our 'soul' exists outside the physical world, is not entirely ludicrous. This is why philosophy is such a fascinating study; it evolves, while simultaneously questioning things once thought indubitable. For when we gain wisdom, through science or introspection, it can entirely reverse believes we held, while also raising questions.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Since undertaking philosophy at A-level and realising the importance of philosophical thought, I have only become more eager to explore, broaden and attempt to somewhat satisfy my own intellectual curiosity. After reading Descartes' meditations and studying the topic at A-level, philosophy of mind became of particular interest to me, as it attempts to satisfy the fundamental question of what we, as humans, are. The debate as to whether the mind is purely physical, or if it is possible that our mind operates outside the laws of physics, is dynamic and after reading Free Will, by Sam Harris, my position evolved. It seems we cannot consistently conclude that we are exclusively physical, with the notion of free will. For if the mind is merely physical, then chemical processes account for our actions. Yet, this explanation seems to deny the diversity and contradictions we experience from humanity throughout history. So, while Descartes' Meditations may appear outdated with scientific advances, it seems that Descartes' theory, that our 'soul' exists outside the physical world, is not entirely ludicrous.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Over the summer I stayed in Asia for three months. I was eager to push myself into the unknown and to expand my learning beyond the classroom, by indulging myself in the richness and diversity of life. Seeing and engaging with people from different backgrounds further enlightened me to the broadness of the world. My travels confirmed my desire to study philosophy, as to do so is to question and attempt to make sense of the universe. Upon returning to the UK I began work as a Personal Assistant to a Director of several companies; one being a new company that is creating student accommodation. Part of my role includes market research, which helps to extend my analytic and evaluative skills that I acquired during my A-levels and subsequently will equip me in my pursuit to further study philosophy. Studying philosophy further is not only desirable, but also valuable. It encourages us to dissect questions and problems from multiple angles, so that we may arrive well-considered conclusions. To explore and attempt to understand life in such a way, by examining the endless questions, is to unlock an awareness of the world that perhaps we never thought possible, and something I am most eager to pursue.

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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