Research

In terms of historical periods, our research is focused upon Graeco-Roman antiquity and the Middle Ages (including philosophy in Arabic), the (early) modern period, the 19th century German tradition, and 20th century continental (esp. French) philosophers – also reaching out into the philosophy of today.

We specialise in “History of Philosophy” as a field within philosophy with a clear and recognisable profile of its own. Using historical and philological methods, we analyse philosophical texts at all levels. We study authors with an enormous reputation, such as Aristotle, Spinoza, Kant and Marx, but also question the processes that gave them their status, and we are also very much interested in the lesser-known figures within their societal, religious and scientific context. In addition, we take a strong interest in the reception of big ideas and in their continuing relevance.

Below, a number of themes are highlighted in which a significant part of our current research is concentrated.

Themes