Faculty of Islamic Sciences · Islamic Sciences (Arabic 30%) · Undergraduate
Course Objective
The History of Philosophy II course examines the development of philosophy from the post-Classical period through Medieval and Early Modern thought, focusing on major problems, key philosophers, and conceptual shifts in their historical contexts. Through close reading of primary texts, the course explores themes such as the relationship between reason and faith, changing views of being and knowledge, and turning points in ethics and political philosophy, encouraging students to interpret ideas in light of their social, scientific, and cultural conditions. In doing so, it offers a perspective that traces how philosophical concepts take shape and strengthens comparative thinking across different traditions.
Course Content
History of Philosophy II examines the development of philosophical thought from the medieval period through the Renaissance and early modern era into modern philosophy, focusing on major problems, concepts, and representative thinkers. The course addresses themes such as the relationship between faith and reason, theories of being and knowledge, debates on method, transformations in political philosophy, and the emergence of the modern notion of the subject, all through close reading of primary texts within their historical contexts. By doing so, students learn to trace continuities and ruptures among philosophical movements while strengthening their critical evaluation and textual analysis skills.
Required Resources
The Reader provided to students before the semester.
Recommended Resources
Ahmet Cevizci. Felsefe Tarihi. Say Yayınları, 2009.
Macit Gökberk. Felsefe Tarihi. Remzi Kitabevi, 2004, 15. Baskı, 345-432.
Explanations
The students are required to actively participate in class and to complete the research topics assigned throughout the term.
Rules
It is required to participate at a rate of 70% to lessons in order to be accepted to the final exam (written paper).
Course Learning Outcomes
- Explain the major movements, philosophers, and concepts from the medieval to the modern period within their historical contexts.
- Discuss key problems—faith and reason, being, knowledge, method, and the subject—in a comparative way.
- Read primary philosophical texts and interpret them by analyzing arguments, concepts, and assumptions.
- Evaluate continuities and ruptures between philosophical positions, including their underlying reasons.
- Communicate philosophical analyses and positions in well-justified written and oral form according to academic standards.
Core Area Distribution
Teaching Methods
Assessment & Evaluation
ECTS / Workload
| Activity | Quantity | Duration (h) | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Duration (Including Exam Week) | 14 | 2 | 28 |
| Out of Class Study Period | 14 | 2 | 28 |
| Midterm | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Quiz | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assignment | 1 | 15 | 15 |
| Practice | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Final | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Course Schedule
| Week | Subject | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction: The rise of Greek philosophy; mythos → logos; sources, periodization, key concepts | |
| 2 | Ionian Natural Philosophers I: Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes; the search for archê | |
| 3 | Ionia & Scientific Explanation II: Pythagoreanism; number, ratio, cosmos; early ontology | |
| 4 | Debate on Change and Permanence: Heraclitus (becoming) and Parmenides (being); Zeno’s paradoxes. | |
| 5 | Pluralists & Atomists: Empedocles, Anaxagoras, Leucippus–Democritus; causation and matter. | |
| 6 | Sophists & the Rhetorical Turn: Protagoras, Gorgias; relativism, language, persuasion; nomos–physis | |
| 7 | Exam | |
| 8 | Socrates I: Socratic method (elenchus), irony, virtue as knowledge; the ethical turn | Deadline. |
| 9 | Socrates II (Text Week): Citizenship, law, and conscience via Apology and Crito; midterm review | |
| 10 | Plato I: Theory of Forms; knowledge vs belief; Meno, Phaedo—learning and recollection | |
| 11 | Plato II (Politics & Soul): Republic—justice, philosopher-king, the cave allegory; parts of the soul | |
| 12 | Aristotle I (Logic & Science): Categories, syllogism, demonstration; four causes; scientific explanation | |
| 13 | Aristotle II (Metaphysics & Nature): Substance, form–matter, act–potency; motion and teleology | |
| 14 | Aristotle III (Ethics & Politics): Nicomachean Ethics—eudaimonia, virtue, the mean; key theses from the Politics | |
| 15 | Final Exam | |
| 16 | Final exam |