Your piece tells only half the story. The study of philosophy, as part of the philosophy and ethics component of A level religious studies, is thriving nationally, with large, documented and well-publicised increases in numbers. This trend has been reflected in the academy, where courses such as our religion, philosophy and ethics programme are accepting more and more students. Substantial demand remains for the challenges that philosophical work offers undergraduates.
David Webster, Principal lecturer, religion, philosophy and ethics University of Gloucestershire.