Theoretical Philosophy
In the minor Theoretical Philosophy you will study four fundamental philosophical fields: metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of language and philosophy of mind. You will encounter questions such as: What is the nature of 'things'? How do reason and perception condition our knowledge? How are language and thought related, and what is the role of society? You will learn to identify and assess positions and arguments in these debates.
Unfortunately it is no longer possible to register for this minor, as all places have been booked.
In the courses Theoretical Philosophy 1 and 2 (together 12 EC) we broadly outline a number of philosophical debates on the nature of knowledge and perception, truth and meaning, by some of the most well-known authors in Western Philosophy, as well as some critical commentators. You gain deeper understanding of these positions in the seminars, through close reading of contemporary and historical philosophical texts on these subjects. The systematic study of theoretical philosophy is complemented with a broad, critical course on the history of philosophy through the literature programme (6 EC).
In the second semester you may choose. You may follow Metaphysics (12 EC), further exploring questions on entities and identity in contemporary analytical metaphysics. Or else follow Language and Cognition (6 EC) and Embodied Cognition (6 EC), offering insight into recent debates in philosophy of cognition, along with critical discussions of the underlying assumptions on the relations between language, thought, brain and body.
This minor is offered by the Faculty of Humanities. The faculty’s minors consist of 30 ECTS credits and earn you a second qualification that will be listed on the transcript accompanying your degree certificate.
Study schedule
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Theoretical Philosophy 1Period 16
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Theoretical Philosophy 2Period 26
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Exploring the History of the PhilosophyPeriod 36
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Restricted-choice electivesPeriod 4Period 512
Students interested in Metaphysics can select 'Metaphysics' (12 EC). Students who want to orient themselves on philosophy of language and cognition can select 'Language and cognition' (6 EC) together with 'Embodied cognition' (6 EC).
Master's programme
The minor Theoretical Philosophy can be extended to 60 EC. If you have an academic Bachelor's degree other than Philosophy, the extended minor will make you eligible for admission to the Master’s programme Philosophy / Filosofie. If you are interested in extending the minor, please contact the study adviser.
Always check the entry requirements on the Application and Admission page of the Master’s programme you are interested in.
Entry requirements
This minor is open for application to students who have obtained an academic first-year diploma or a positive Binding Study Advice from an academic Bachelor's programme.
The minor is also open for application to students from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO) who have completed their propaedeutic year. However, HBO students are not eligible for admission to a Master's programme in Philosophy, even after completing this minor. If you are an HBO student and would like to prepare for a Master's programme at the UvA, please check our range of pre-Master's programmes.
Application
The registration period for a minor in the academic year 2025-2026 will start in Spring 2025.
- Mode
- Full-time
- Credits
- 30 ECTS,
- Language of instruction
- English
- Starts in
- September
- Location
- University Quarter