Philosophy of Data and Digital Society
Examine the impact of datafication and digitalization on social institutions, science, our work, our daily lives, and even our friendships. Reflect on fundamental ethical and political questions that arise. Learn how you can help shape a morally acceptable digital social world. This program can also be followed part-time. Philosophy of Data and Digital Society is a track of the MA Philosophy.
National Student Survey, 2023 | n = 46 (Master Philosophy, all tracks)
National Alumni Survey, 2021 | n = 7 (Master Philosophy, all tracks)
Elsevier Beste Studies 2022 & Keuzegids Universiteiten 2023
Program and courses
Explore distinct philosophical questions that emerge in a digitalized society, such as:
- ethical and political questions related to the design and implementation of digital technologies, the collection and commodification of data, and the impact of digitalization on social justice;
- questions related to the nature of data and artificial intelligence, and the value of public data literacy;
- questions related to human nature, intelligence, emotion, and meaning, as well as our relation to culture, environment, and social life.
Address essential topics, like:
- the relation between data and evidence; and responsibility, transparency and trust when using algorithms in decision making;
- the internet’s potential to democratize knowledge and, on the other hand, undermine trust online;
- digitalization’s impact on work, employment, care and friendship;
- the impact of emerging cyber-physical systems on the cores of human existence and the values of solidarity, equality and freedom.
Profit from small-scale working methods with a great deal of interaction, which enables in-depth analysis and discussion with fellow students and lecturers.
This program can also be followed part-time. Philosophy of Data and Digital Society is a track of the MA Philosophy. You always choose one of the tracks.
Typical courses are:
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Career prospects
Upon graduation from this track, you will be an MA in Philosophy, specializing in Philosophy of Data and Digital Society. You are equipped to provide plausible answers to fundamental questions about the many facets of digitalized human societies and to (co)shape a morally acceptable digital social world.
Your ability to assess the potential outcomes of new digital developments and to help decide which path to take is valuable for jobs in a variety of domains, such as the political-administrative domain, business, health and wellbeing, media, information and communication, research, and education.
Some examples of positions in which our Philosophy alumni are employed:
- AI ethicist at Google, Facebook, etc.
- Consultant at an IT company
- Researcher at the Rathenau Institute
- Employee at a privacy protection agency
- Ph.D. in Philosophy
Alumni facts
- Average number of months between graduation and first job: 4.6
- 86% would choose this program at Tilburg University again
Source: National Alumni Survey 2021 | n = 7 (Master Philosophy, all tracks)
Application and admission
This Master's program starts:
End of August and end of January (both the Master’s and the pre-Master’s program)
Best preparatory programs:
Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy or - combined with the pre-Master - a Bachelor’s degree in another relevant field.
Pre-Master's program:
Open to both research university students and students of a Dutch university of applied sciences (HBO).
Tuition fees and scholarships
International students find all information about tuition fees and scholarships here.
Interested in this Master's program?
Interested in the Philosophy of Data and Digital Society track?
Check your eligibility and the deadlines for application.
More information on this Master's program
Create your own e-brochure with information on program content, admission requirements, career prospects, and student life in Tilburg. Throughout the year you can take part in various types of events: on-campus, abroad or online.