Thoughts on a thesis topic sought for a potential Philosophy Phd student

[cpoc]

Ok, so recently I discovered that I may be able to go back to study part time without all the hefty fees etc that go with it... The biggest problem... I'm not entirely sure what to write my thesis on so I thought I would throw it open to suggestions.

The most likely topic so far is something along the lines of "Population expansion the environment and scientific and policy approaches to reducing ecological harm"

However the range of topics is quite open ended and I was thinking it might be nice to write my thesis on something astronomy related so I thought I would let people here make suggestions.

Another topic I was considering was "The paranormal, possible explanations through string theory and the social implications." but that might be a bit too far out there ;)

So by all means offer some topics for consideration and if one strikes a chord I may just go with it :)

[Ric]

"Life, the Universe and everything. We know the answer but what is the question?"

Always a good one to get people thinking :lol:

[GTB_an_Owl]

the influence of the big dob on amateur astronomy and the push theory according to alex

geoff

[renormalised]

That is a great topic....and so what if it's "out there". How many breakthroughs in science or philosophy have come from either sitting on the fence or staying within the boundary lines, so to speak. You might want to read up on Prof Rupert Sheldrake and morphogenetic form fields.

[skwinty]

What about the contribution philosophy has made to science in the last 100 years.

[renormalised]

Got one... "The Catholic Church and Extraterrestrials...Do We Allow Religion to Influence Our Relations with People from Other Worlds"

or

"Religion and Extraterrestrials...Alien Influence on the Formative Thought of Primitive Man"

or

"Does Astronomy Matter...The Meaning of Astronomy in Society and it's Influence Through History".

[cpoc]

Apparently my partner has advised against incorporating religion in any major way (I'm a militant atheist and she is "unsure" but with a religious lean).

I shall have a look into Prof Rupert Sheldrake and morphogenetic form fields thanks :)

[renormalised]

Here's another..."Carl Sagan, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking: Does Personality Promote or Inhibit the Study, Promotion and Advancement of Science"

[gman]

You could write it on "Why the weather changes for the worse when you buy new astro toys"
Is it the universe trying to keep its secrets or somthing else
I am sure this has happened to everyone

[netwolf]

"The rate of change in Scientific knowledge" how quickly is what we know changing. Can we really ask students the same questions every year, due to the change in Scientific knowledge. Have we discovered more in the last 50 years than in the previous 50 years.
"The influence of Capitalism on Science"

"The ancient world and there knowledge of Astronomy" What did the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Vedhas, Incas etc etc really know. How did the come to know it.

And if you never want to finish your thesis. "Why are we here" "The meaning of life"

Regards
Fahim

[Zuts]

Hi,

We all know that living in the big smoke makes us lose touch with the planet and nature in general; which is probably why most people dont really care deep down about green issues and care more about their immediate circumstances.

So try and prove a link between the loss of the majesty of the night sky and the obvious weaking of general religous and moral character in the Western world.

The ancients had a good view of the night sky and consequently a rich tapestry of lore regarding it. We dont anymore.

Anyway...

Cheers
Paul

[Ian Robinson]

You'll get assigned a topic most likely that is aligned with the academic interests of the department.

[cpoc]

That could be a good one... plenty of room for exploring some science themes.



Well the adviser I spoke to seemed quite happy for me to put forward a number of suggestions and I was told that topics are fairly open... the topic will certainly have to be within a field of interest of one of the department... but I wouldn't say I will "get assigned a topic" per se... more that my topic will have to be approved and maybe refined. But it's all in the formative stage at the moment... it may be that I'll find it easier if they do "assign" me a topic.

Thanks for the suggestions so far... it is great food for thought... feel free to continue making suggestions.