Aims

This course has three main objectives : first, to give an information, as precise as possible, about the development of the philosophical thought from the end of the Middle Ages till today; then, to bring to the fore the cultural impact of philosophical thought during this period; at last, to contribute to the learning of rigourous thinking by insisting on the coherence of the philosophical doctrines which are explained.

Main themes

1. Content :
The purpose of the course is not to supply the students with an inventory of the various philosophical doctrines to have been expounded from the 13th Century to today. Starting from the traditional division into "Middle Ages," "Modern Period," and "Contemporary Period," the course attempts to capture the dimensions proper to the thought of each of these periods: what characterizes it, that is, its specific mentality and horizon. It then proceeds to show how this characteristic "mentality" was formed and developed during each of the periods, relying on some of the ways of thinking most paradigmatic of the Medieval, Modern, and Contemporary periods.
2. Method :
A lecture course. There will be a short bibliography for each of the authors studied, meant to encourage the students to read and deepen their familiarity with the subject.

Content and teaching methods

The course does not aim to give a complete survey of the various philosophical doctrines put forward from the 13th Century till today. Starting with the traditional division into " Middle Ages", Modern Times" and " Contemporary Era", we will first attempt to grasp the dimensions proper to the thought of each of these periods, that is, the constitution of the spirit and horizon particular to each time. We will then demonstrate how the characteristic " spirit " of each time was concretely formed and developed, basing ourselves on some of the more prominent schools of thought from the Medieval, Modern, and Contemporary eras.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Nil.

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