At the end of the course, students will:

(1)   Have developed a general understanding of the main problems, debates, and approaches in European philosophy.

(2)   Understand the cultural importance of European philosophy and its relationship to other disciplines and aspects of human life.

(3)   Be able to critically analyze and explain complex philosophical arguments.

European philosophy is heterogeneous and broad in terms of themes, thinkers, and methodologies. It can be engaged either historically or thematically. This course will combine both approaches, and will include in its content: 

(1. A general overview of some of the main approaches and topics in European philosophy. 

(2. An account of the origin, purpose, raison d’être, and different ramifications of European philosophical thinking. 

(3. A discussion of the relevance of philosophy in general and of the schools of thought pertinent to contemporary debates and problems in European studies.