Philosophy of Natural Sciences explores the intellectual foundations of the understanding of animate and inanimate nature and the foundations of of natural science research that forms the paradigm of a particular historical epoch natural science. The history of each science gives a concrete picture of the forms of the paradigm in the course of cultural history. The field is intended for graduates of the Master's degree Faculty of Natural Sciences or Philosophy.
Application for the programme starting in the winter semester by:
30. 4. 2025
Detailed information about the study programme
Offer of dissertation topics:
- French Epistemology and Contemporary Vitalism
- "Hermetic" vs. Other Sciences in the Renaissance
- Interactions between pseudoscience and science
- James's Concept of Emotions and Freud's Dynamics of Drives
- Mythology and Science
- Natural philosophy, magic and science in the Early Modern period
- Presocratic Natural Philosophy and Greek Religion
- Relativism and constructivism in philosophy of science
- Renaissance philosophy, religion and cosmology
- Scientism in contemporary science and philosophy of science
- Subtle-bodily creatures in Early Modern thought
Profile of the graduate
Graduates will acquire good general knowledge of the contemporary discussion in the philosophy of science and the history of – primarily European – thought and science. Aside from philosophy, they will also gain insight into the methodology of science and should be able to apply this knowledge to specific cases. Depending on the subject of their thesis, they should become experts in a specific domain in science and a specific period in history. However, they will also be aware of the wider philosophical and cultural context. The study program is complex and interdisciplinary, promoting the ability to examine, through analogy, similar cases in different circumstances. Graduates should thus be able to independently investigate a given topic.
Application submission
The application is submitted electronically through the Charles University study information system. The completed application must be submitted electronically in the study information system no later than on 30. 4. 2025 for study programmes starting in the winter semester (October) and no later than on 15. 12. 2025 for study programmes starting in the summer semester (April).
The admission fee is 100 EUR and it is paid for each submitted application.
Entrance exam
The regular date of entrance exam for all doctoral programmes starting in the winter semester (October) is 9. - 20. 6. 2025, an alternative date is 23. - 27. 6. 2025.
The regular date of entrance exam for all doctoral programmes starting in the summer semester (April) is 4. - 5. 2. 2026, an alternative date is 11. - 12. 2. 2026.
The request for an alternative day is submitted and approved via the electronic information system.
The form of the entrance exam is an oral interview, which mainly concerns the issues of the planned dissertation and the candidate's knowledge within the field of expertise of the given study programme.
Find more information in:
- Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, for study programmes starting in the winter semester (October)
or - Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes at the Faculty of Science, Charles University, for study programmes starting in the summer semester (April).
Important links
Applicants with specific needs
If you have a physical handicap, you can apply for a modification of the entrance exam. For more information read the Conditions of the admission procedure for doctoral study programmes.
Departments involved in this programme
Depatrment of Philosophy and History of Science
Do you have any questions?
For inquiries regarding the content and operation of the study program, please contact Prof. Mgr. Karel Kleisner, Ph.D.
Tato e-mailová adresa je chráněna před spamboty. Pro její zobrazení musíte mít povolen Javascript.
Complete information about the admission procedure can be found on the website for applicants. For questions, please contact the admissions contact persons.