In modern times, the department's profile is primarily that of an analytic philosophy department. Courses in philosophy of mind, language, religion, logic, theory of knowledge, aesthetics and ethics are taught within this tradition. History of philosophy is also an integral part of the curriculum, from ancient, through medieval, rationalism, empiricism, German Idealism and existentialism, to twentieth century analytic and continental thought. There are also more specialised interests, such as the history of Irish philosophy and the philosophical investigation of psychoanalysis. The course is four years long, with set programmes in first and second year followed by greater choice in third and fourth.
Teaching is by lecture and tutorial.
Fourth year involves small-group seminars where staff and visiting scholars teach their current research projects and students are required to write a thesis. Every week during term there is a colloquium where visiting speakers present papers. An energetic student society, the Metaphysical Society provides a forum for undergraduate discussions. Quite a number of our students have continued to further study in philosophy in such graduate schools as Rutgers, Berkeley, Tulane, Duke, New York, Notre Dame, Johns Hopkins, London, and St. Doctoral students from here have gone to lectureships in UCD, Hull, Chicago and Oxford.