Ancient, Medieval and Early Modern Philosophy

The ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle set the agenda for most later philosophical discussions. After the Renaissance René Descartes raised questions about consciousness and knowledge in a new way. Meanwhile, Thomas Hobbes founded modern political philosophy. Today all moral philosophers and theorists of knowledge must relate to the 18th century thinkers David Hume and Immanuel Kant. G.W.F. Hegel introduces a new era in philosophy, in which philosophical questions are asked in light of the subject's own historical development. The course aims to make students familiar with the philosophers' own texts. It also provides an overview of the history of Western philosophy in this period more generally.

Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the main aspects of the philosophical positions of Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hobbes, Hume, Kant and Hegel.
- More in-depth knowledge of some key texts of the above-mentioned philosophers.

Skills:
- Ability to read original philosophical texts (in translation) from antiquity to the beginning of the 1800s and to relate to secondary literature on these.
- Ability to see the arguments in the above philosophers in relation to each other, and to philosophical problems of our own time.

Lectures, groups and self-study. In order to sit the exam, students must submit and get approved two written assignments (4-8 pages, 12-point Times New Roman, 1.5 line spacing.)The written assignments are only given in the semester when the subject is taught, but these are valid for this and the subsequent semester. Evaluation by essay and six-hour written exam (no syllabus materials permitted). The written exam aims to a greater extent to test breadth of knowledge. Both parts are weighted equally in the final grade. Both parts of the form of assessment must be given a pass grade. In case of retakes, students must redo both exams. Essay is written on the basis of the written assignment after feedback from group leader/supervision, and should be 6-10 pages long. 2 copies to be submitted before 2 p.m. to the Department Office. (see examination dates for date), front page: course code, date, candidate number.