History of Philosophy

This is a core course in Philosophy Major that provides a comprehensive introduction to the history of Western philosophy, from its origins in ancient Greece to contemporary philosophical thought. The course will examine the major philosophical movements, thinkers, and texts that have shaped Western intellectual tradition.

Over the eight-week course, students explore the key philosophical ideas and concepts of ancient Greek philosophy, medieval philosophy, modern philosophy, and contemporary philosophy. Students discuss the major figures and schools of thought in each period, such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Descartes, Hume, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, and Foucault.

Through reading and analyzing primary philosophical texts, students examine the evolution of philosophical ideas and arguments across time and across various philosophical traditions. The course challenges students to consider how philosophical thinking has influenced and been influenced by historical, cultural, and political contexts.