51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

We are writing to express our concern at the news that Heythrop College, a college of the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of London that specialises in philosophy and theology, is to close (¡°Heythrop College to end in ¡®current form¡¯ and leave 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of London¡±, 26 June). In their announcement, the governors stressed that although the college would close, its mission and work would not.

We sincerely hope that the governors will reconsider their decision to close the college, and that they are aware of some of the excellent teaching and research that has been carried out in both theology and philosophy in recent years. The college offers a unique approach to the study of philosophy, and the theology submission (including philosophy) to the 2014 research excellence framework received good rankings. We sincerely hope that the college will revive its excellent provision of undergraduate teaching in subjects that, according to a number of recent reports, are sought after by a certain group of students and also by those employers who value ¡°flexible minds adaptable to managing change¡± (see the philosophy profile developed for the Council for Industry and Higher Education, 2007).

The world of work needs students who have developed not only the skills required for business but also a sense of moral purpose. Heythrop is especially well equipped to offer this.

Alison Assiter, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of the West of England
Alison Ainley, principal lecturer philosophy, Anglia Ruskin 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ
Robin Attfield, philosophy, Cardiff 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ
Sorin Baisu, philosophy programme director, Keele 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ
Alex Barber, head of department of philosophy, The Open 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ
Bob Brecher, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Brighton
Mark Cain, programme leader for philosophy and religion, Oxford Brookes 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ
Quassim Cassam, philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Warwick
Sophie-Grace Chappell, philosophy, The Open 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ
Stephen Clark, emeritus professor, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Liverpool
Meena Dhanda, course leader philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wolverhampton
Julian Dodd, head of philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Manchester
Joshua Fernal, honorary fellow, department of theology and religion, Durham 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ
Sebastian Gardner, philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ College London
Jules Goddard, fellow, London Business School
Edward Harcourt, chair, philosophy faculty board, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Oxford
Douglas Hedley, reader in hermeneutics and metaphysics, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Cambridge
Silvia Jonas, The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute
Kath R Jones, senior lecturer in philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Greenwich
Edward Kanterian, senior lecturer in philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Kent
Brian Leftow, Nolloth professor of the philosophy of the christian religion, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Oxford
Denis McManus, head of philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Southampton
Fiona McPherson, head of philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Glasgow
Peter Milne, philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Stirling
Richard Norman, emeritus professor, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Kent.
David S. Oderberg, philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Reading
Stephen Priest, philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Oxford
D.N. Robinson, emeritus professor, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Oxford
David Edward Rose, subject leader in philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Newcastle
Constantine Sandis, department of history, philosophy, and religion, Oxford Brookes 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ
Stella Sandford, head of department of philosophy, Kingston 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ
Jennifer Saul, head of department, department of philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Sheffield
Raj Sehgal, programme convenor for philosophy, theology and religion, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Roehampton
Robert Stern, president of the British Philosophical Association, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Sheffield
Nicholas Shackel, reader in philosophy, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Cardiff
Tim Thornton, professor of philosophy and mental health, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Central Lancashire
Mark Wynn, professor of philosophy and religion, 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Leeds