Philosophy is not a subject that directly qualifies for a profession, but rather opens up one of the fundamental ways of thinking of our culture and of humanity in general. It deals mainly with texts, but its subject matter is the convictions and arguments on the basis of which everything laid down in great works and complicated discussion threads is to be critically examined and further developed. No subject of study is more dependent on freedom and self-responsibility than philosophy, but none is more sustainable as a guide to intellectual competence and personal independence.

The subject can be studied as a major or minor subject in the Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program in the Aisthesis. cultural and media studies variant or in the flexible variant in the amount of up to 65 ECTS credits. It can be combined with a minor subject and/or the Studium Individuale.

Contents

The subject Philosophy offers a fundamental university education in which students acquire in-depth content-related and methodological skills. The degree program teaches basic knowledge on the discipline, eras and positions of philosophy. Students are familiarized with the main forms of philosophical thought and learn to deal with them independently, in particular: Conceptual analysis, argumentation, logical deduction, text interpretation, reflective understanding of systematical and historical controversies, strategies of legitimization. They will acquire the ability to deal with the difference and correlation of descriptive and normative questions and will develop methodological and academic-theoretical critical ability. Furthermore, they will be introduced to the task of pooling own philosophical thought and the results of the degree program in order to make independent, objective contributions to scientific discourse. The program focuses on classical primary texts from the field of philosophical tradition and present.

The systematic structure of the program is based on the structure of the philosophical epochs (Antiquity, Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, Renaissance and the Early Modern Times, Modernity and the Present), the disciplines (Theoretical Philosophy, especially Ontology, Epistemology, Anthropology and Philosophy of Culture, Aesthetics as well as Practical Philosophy, especially Ethics, Philosophy of Law and State, Social Philosophy, Philosophy of History, Philosophy of Religion) and the basic approaches (especially Metaphysics, Transcendental Philosophy, Phenomenology, Philosophy of Language). Students also learn to understand and evaluate the practical-real consequences and the effectiveness of philosophical ways of thinking in social and cultural life. This also includes an introduction to the interdisciplinary and intercultural horizons of the subject of philosophy. 

Partner universities

• Institut Catholique de Paris
• Institut Catholique de Toulouse
• Université catholique de l'Ouest
• Universidad de Navarra
• Sapienza Università di Roma

For individual advice and support in finding an internship and financing possibilities, the KU Career Service and the International Internship Service are happy to help.

Career prospects

The subject Philosophy qualifies for a wide range of possible professional fields. In addition to education and science, this includes the fields of media, adult education, management and political consulting, philosophical practice, ethics and social consulting, as well as publishing.

The study of philosophy offers orientation and the opportunity to distinguish oneself in selected areas according to one's own abilities.