PhD Philosophy

Doctorate in Philosophy – Pontifical
(By Research & Thesis)

Awarding Body:   Pontifical Athenaeum (Milltown Institute)
Duration:               2–6 years

Aims of Programme
The Pontifical degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is an award open to those who have completed the second cycle of philosophical studies (Licentiate) with at least a Second Class Honours, Grade I. It testifies that the holder has achieved scholarly status in a specialised field, having made a public contribution to the progress of knowledge.

Duration
The PhD may not be awarded until at least two years have elapsed from the time of registration. Normally, the doctorate will not be awarded later than six years from the date of registration. In exceptional circumstances, the Admissions Committee may extend the period allowed for research beyond this limit.

Programme Specialisations
The Milltown Institute offers the following areas of specialisation in Philosophy:
Ethics; Metaphysics and Epistemology; Philosophical Anthropology; Philosophy of Religion; History of Philosophy; Contemporary Philosophy.

Access, Transfer and Progression Routes
To be admitted to research for the doctoral thesis, candidates
•               must hold the degree Licentiate in Philosophy with at least a Second Class Honours, Grade I. Candidates who hold other postgraduate degrees may be required to complete some of the course requirements for the Licentiate in Philosophy before proceeding to doctoral studies;
•               may be required to attend modules or seminars in order to ensure that they acquire a broad basic knowledge of their field of research and a comprehensive mastery in their specialist area;
•               shall have knowledge of English appropriate for advanced research and writing. They shall also have a reading knowledge of two of the following languages: French, German, Italian, Spanish or such other language as the Dean or the thesis supervisor shall judge appropriate for the planned research. An examination in these languages may be required.
•               may be required to submit additional documentation.

Thesis
The doctoral thesis shall be written under the supervision of a full-time member of the staff of Milltown Institute, or of another person associated with the Milltown Institute, appointed by the Dean of Philosophy. Within six months of registration for the doctorate, the candidate shall present to the supervisor an initial proposal outlining the question to be studied, the limits of the research, the methods to be used and the specific originality of the envisaged thesis.
To obtain definitive approval for the thesis project, the candidate should submit to the supervisor a statement of about 2,000 words containing the following:
a)             an overview of the research already completed;
b)            an outline of the proposed chapter headings and divisions of the thesis;
c)             the proposed originality of the thesis in the light of current knowledge in
                the field.

This definitive proposal must be approved by a board appointed by the Dean, consisting of the thesis supervisor, two members of faculty and the extern examiner. The candidate may be invited to elucidate the proposal at a meeting of the board.

The thesis should be written in clear and simple language proving the candidate’s mastery of style and expression. In exceptional circumstances, with the approval of the supervisor, the Dean of Philosophy and the extern, the thesis may be written in a language other than English. The degree of Ph.D. is awarded without qualification. A candidate who fails to satisfy the Examiners at first attempt may, on the recommendation of the Examiners, be allowed to revise the thesis and resubmit it not more than once for the degree sought.

Some Previous Research Undertaken
in the Programme
•               A Transcultural Conception of the Human Good?

Acting Head Centre of Philosophy 2008-9.
Dr Kieran Cronin, O.F.M., senior lecturer, did his postgraduate work in London University (M.A. in Philosophy) and in the University of Edinburgh (Ph.D in Christian Ethics). He has taught at the Mater Dei Institute, in the The Irish School of Ecumenics and has been a visiting lecturer at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. His areas of specialisation include ethical theory, the language of rights and religious ethics. As well as numerous articles, Dr Cronin is the author of Rights and Christian Ethics (Cambridge University Press, 1992).

For further information contact:
Dr. Kieran Cronin OFM
Acting Head of the Centre for Philosophy
Milltown Institute,
Milltown Park, Sandford Road,
Dublin 6, Ireland
Telephone: + 353-1-277 6336
Fax: + 353-1-269 2528
Email: kierancronin@eircom.net