mm. i went through a similar debate just before i made my ucas application; i decided on natsci because it let me do More. if it had been a choice between maths and physics, it's quite likely i'd have chosen maths. if you want a phd in physics, especially theoretical physics (whihc is my plan too, by the way!), then maths is probably a better background to bring to it. however, both degrees keep your options very much open. choose what you think you'll enjoy more at degree level - forget about the phd for now, because you'll be able to do one either way. you've been building yourself up for maths and philosophy and while you could probably switch fairly easily, it might be best to give it a bit of a go first, since you obviously *are* enthusiastic about it even if there are some books that you dislike. i'm sure there'd be some you didn't enjoy on the physics reading list too.
ps. i agree with what you are saying about philosophy and about maths. on the other hand, being fussy and occasionally circular doesnt prevent philosophy being very interesting, and being pedantic keeps maths itsposition as Queen of the Sciences :o) i say both are better used for a purpose or read for interest than studied for their own sakes. but... i'm a natsci, so i would think that... :oD
Why not give Maths&Phil a try, and if you *really* hate it after half a term, you can try to switch? The tutors might not be willing to let you swap right at the start anyway.
I also have doubts about my course - will I enjoy the chemistry aspect of the course? Should I have applied for biological sciences or physiological sciences instead? - but at the end of the day, we applied for the course we had our hearts set on and managed to convince the interviewers that we felt this way. I believe the first decision is often the best, but you should go with your gut instinct.
Wow. You've obviously been thinking about this quite a bit! I tend to be overly cautious about things like this, after all it is a mahoosive choice to make. Just a couple of things- I'm very worried that that is all this will be: just reading more books, challenging their arguments, but ultimately accepting them as the status quo and never really moving on. Do you know for certain if that is what the philosophy part of your degree would be like? There's a possibility that it won't be, maybe I'm just a bit idealistic when it comes to Oxford but I can't imagine the teaching being like that. You also mentioned not liking the reading list, those aren't going to be the only books you look at during your time at Oxford. Plus you might enjoy arguing with those who did like them. ;)
You scared me when you said you were bored of Maths. Meep. Perhaps I'm just hitting a ceiling and need to learn moreWon't you be doing this at university? I have no idea as I haven't looked at the course syllabus, just wondering
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choose what you think you'll enjoy more at degree level - forget about the phd for now, because you'll be able to do one either way. you've been building yourself up for maths and philosophy and while you could probably switch fairly easily, it might be best to give it a bit of a go first, since you obviously *are* enthusiastic about it even if there are some books that you dislike. i'm sure there'd be some you didn't enjoy on the physics reading list too.
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I also have doubts about my course - will I enjoy the chemistry aspect of the course? Should I have applied for biological sciences or physiological sciences instead? - but at the end of the day, we applied for the course we had our hearts set on and managed to convince the interviewers that we felt this way. I believe the first decision is often the best, but you should go with your gut instinct.
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Just a couple of things-
I'm very worried that that is all this will be: just reading more books, challenging their arguments, but ultimately accepting them as the status quo and never really moving on.
Do you know for certain if that is what the philosophy part of your degree would be like? There's a possibility that it won't be, maybe I'm just a bit idealistic when it comes to Oxford but I can't imagine the teaching being like that.
You also mentioned not liking the reading list, those aren't going to be the only books you look at during your time at Oxford. Plus you might enjoy arguing with those who did like them. ;)
You scared me when you said you were bored of Maths. Meep.
Perhaps I'm just hitting a ceiling and need to learn moreWon't you be doing this at university? I have no idea as I haven't looked at the course syllabus, just wondering ( ... )
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