20th Century Philosophy

Intellectual Heroes and Key Themes I

The 20th century was one of the most significant and exciting periods ever witnessed in philosophy, characterized by intellectual change in a challenging context. These lectures present a colourful picture of the intellectual heroes and key themes of 20th century philosophy. The central ideas of five philosophers will be introduced: Wittgenstein, Heidegger, Dewey, Rorty and Adorno. With references to these philosophers themes like art, moral dilemmas, language, world disclosure, politics, literature, social pathologies and being-towards-death will be discussed.

Although it is impossible to focus on every philosophical detail, the lectures cover the main movements of philosophy over the last hundred years: existentialism, analytical philosophy, pragmatism, neo-pragmatism and critical theory. These movements will be woven together in a narrative history that accounts for the influence of arts, science and politics. The lectures prove that the world’s oldest intellectual stone will keep on rolling.

The individual lectures
1. Wittgenstein (12 Mar)
2. Heidegger (19 Mar)
3. Dewey (26 Mar)
4. Rorty (9 Apr)
5. Adorno (16 Apr)