Publications

Philosophy

Our flagship academic journal, edited by Professor Maria Alvarez and Professor Bill Brewer, was established in 1926 and publishes rigorous, high impact articles, discussions and book reviews from world-leading academics across a wide range of topics.

Find selected free-to-access articles and subscription options below.

Philosophy

Causal Closure Principles and Emergentism

Causal closure arguments against interactionist dualism are currently popular amongst physicalists. Such an argument appeals to some principles of the causal closure of the physical, together with certain other premises, to conclude that at least some mental events are identical with physical events. However, it is crucial to the success of any such argument that the physical causal closure principle to which it appeals is neither too strong nor too weak by certain standards. In this paper, it is argued that various forms of naturalistic dualism, of an emergentist character, are consistent with the strongest physical causal closure principles that can plausibly be advocated

By E. J. LOWE

Philosophy

Is There Anything it is Like to be a Bat?

The concept of consciousness has been the source of much confusion over the past two decades. Current orthodoxy in ‘consciousness studies’ has it that the key to understanding the concept of consciousness is to grasp the idea of qualia. But the appearance of mystery here is the product of conceptual confusion. There is nothing to ‘the qualitative character of experience’ beyond the individual character of a specific experience and how the subject felt in undergoing it, and here there are no mysteries beyond empirical ignorance and conceptual mystification.

By P. M. S. Hacker

Subscribe to Philosophy

Explore philosophical thinking with our range of subscription options for Philosophy.

Our production and delivery dates are being impacted by some production issues experienced by our publisher. We send our apologies, but reassure you that your journal will be despatched at the earliest opportunity.

Philosophy →

Four issues per year of Philosophy – £40

Philosophy - Unwaged →

Four issues per year of Philosophy for unwaged individuals – £10

Think and Philosophy →

Four issues per year of Philosophy and three issues per year of Think –£50

Philosophy - Subscriptions for institutions →

Philosophy - Online Access Only →

Four issues per year of Philosophy accessible online only – £30

The Philosophy Essay Prize

Each year the Royal Institute of Philosophy holds the Philosophy Essay Prize competition. The winner will receive £2,500 and their essay will be published in Philosophy. The topic for this year’s prize is ‘Imagination’.

The submission deadline is 30 November 2024 23:59 GMT.

Find out more →

Submit an article to Philosophy

Find out what you need to know before submitting an article to Philosophy.

Find out more →

Think

Exercise your mind with philosophy for everyone. Think, edited by Stephen Law, is our accessible but challenging journal filled with digestible content from leading philosophers.

Published three times a year- Spring, Summer and Autumn- it is written for a general audience and perfect for schools and those studying philosophy at A-Level.

Find selected free-to-access articles and subscription options below.

Think

What is phenomenology?

Simon Glendinning explains the mysteries of phenomenology

By Simon Glendinning

Think

Behaviourism

Behaviourists take the view that mental states are essentially behavioural: to be in pain, for example, is just to behave, or be disposed to behave, in certain ways (to writhe and go ‘Ow!’, and so on). Behavourism, if true, would neatly explain how mind and body are related.Nowadays behaviourism, as a philosophy of mind, is philosophically out of fashion. But here, Rowland Stout explains why he still believes it may be true.

By Rowland Stout

Subscribe to Think

Explore philosophical thinking with our range of subscription options for Think.

Our production and delivery dates are being impacted by some production issues experienced by our publisher. We send our apologies, but reassure you that your journal will be despatched at the earliest opportunity.

Think and Philosophy →

Four issues per year of Philosophy and three issues per year of Think –£50

Think - Schools →

Three issues of Think per year and access for schools to the online portal – £29

Think - Print and online →

Access to three issues of Think per year in both physical and digital formats – £36

Think - Online only subscription →

Online-only access to three issues of Think per year – £26

Think - Subscriptions for institutions →

The Think Essay Prize

TRIP is delighted to announce the winner of the 2024 Think Essay Prize competition, Claudia Wong, with her essay titled: ‘Is It Morally Wrong to Eat Meat?’.

The 2025 Think Essay Prize competition will be opening in Autumn 2024.

Find out more →

Submit an article to Think

Find out what you need to know before submitting an article to Think.

Find out more →

Books

We publish several themed volumes every year based on the London Lectures and our series of One-Day Philosophy Events.

View all →

A Philosophers’ Manifesto: Ideas and Arguments to Change the World →

A diverse range of philosophers from around the world present the philosophical case for a new policy or law they think will make the world a better place.

Edited by Julian Baggini

Death and Meaning →

What is it for a life to have meaning? Does life have no meaning because some day each of us will die? Or do death and mortality inform a meaningful life? Philosophers address these important questions in this collection of papers.

Edited by Michael Hauskeller

How Do We Know? The Social Dimension of Knowledge →

Knowledge is often thought of as something individual, but our knowledge is dependent on other people’s testimony and expertise, and on the norms and practices of our society. This volume gathers perspectives on Social Epistemology from experts around the world.

Edited by Julian Baggini

Podcasts

Discover mind-expanding long-form discussions on the most thought-provoking questions in philosophy with The Royal Institute of Philosophy’s podcast.

Listen →

Globally Inclusive Philosophy

We are proud to be endorsing the Barcelona Principles for a Globally Inclusive Philosophy, which seek to highlight and address the structural inequality between native and non-native speakers in academic philosophy.

Find out more →

Free articles

Philosophy

Causal Closure Principles and Emergentism

Causal closure arguments against interactionist dualism are currently popular amongst physicalists. Such an argument appeals to some principles of the causal closure of the physical, together with certain other premises, to conclude that at least some mental events are identical with physical events. However, it is crucial to the success of any such argument that the physical causal closure principle to which it appeals is neither too strong nor too weak by certain standards. In this paper, it is argued that various forms of naturalistic dualism, of an emergentist character, are consistent with the strongest physical causal closure principles that can plausibly be advocated

By E. J. LOWE

Think

What is phenomenology?

Simon Glendinning explains the mysteries of phenomenology

By Simon Glendinning

Philosophy

Is There Anything it is Like to be a Bat?

The concept of consciousness has been the source of much confusion over the past two decades. Current orthodoxy in ‘consciousness studies’ has it that the key to understanding the concept of consciousness is to grasp the idea of qualia. But the appearance of mystery here is the product of conceptual confusion. There is nothing to ‘the qualitative character of experience’ beyond the individual character of a specific experience and how the subject felt in undergoing it, and here there are no mysteries beyond empirical ignorance and conceptual mystification.

By P. M. S. Hacker

Philosophy

Wrongdoing and Forgiveness

Joanna North explores the nature and value of forgiveness, arguing that it requires recognizing the wrongdoer's responsibility and involves a conscious effort by the one wronged to improve their relationship with the wrongdoer. She highlights that modern moral philosophers often overlook the moral significance of forgiveness outside a religious context and addresses the challenges in defining this complex moral response.

By Joanna North

Think

Behaviourism

Behaviourists take the view that mental states are essentially behavioural: to be in pain, for example, is just to behave, or be disposed to behave, in certain ways (to writhe and go ‘Ow!’, and so on). Behavourism, if true, would neatly explain how mind and body are related.Nowadays behaviourism, as a philosophy of mind, is philosophically out of fashion. But here, Rowland Stout explains why he still believes it may be true.

By Rowland Stout