Continental Symposium
Journal
Library
Continental Symposium
Journal
Library
History:
Authors:
Brief overview:
Continental philosophy essentially starts with Kant, and most thinkers come downstream of him. The Kantian and Kant-influenced philosophers typically came from mainland Europe and stood in contrast to English thinkers like Jeremy Bentham and later Bertrand Russell. After Kant, most continental philosophers engaged with Hegel and generally continue to write in his dialectical fashion. While variegated in focus, some themes are common across thinkers. They typically reject positivism and its many forms, arguing against the notion that valid konwledge only comes from scientific inquiry and logic. They tend to emphasize historicism, or historical and situational context by which philosophy is written. This is perhaps most aptly represented by Nietzsche's famous quote: "It has gradually become clear to me what every great philosophy up till now has consisted of – namely, the confession of its originator" (Beyond Good and Evil §6)
They are also generally interdisciplinary, often peering the realms of sociology, psychology, and art. And they are often more literary and can read closer to poetry or storywriting than their analytic counterparts. Nevertheless, these are broad generalizations, and different thinkers follow different traditions with different standards, styles, and interests. Check out a couple pages to figure out what may interest you!
They are also generally interdisciplinary, often peering the realms of sociology, psychology, and art. And they are often more literary and can read closer to poetry or storywriting than their analytic counterparts. Nevertheless, these are broad generalizations, and different thinkers follow different traditions with different standards, styles, and interests. Check out a couple pages to figure out what may interest you!
Continental philosophy today:
Continental philosophy today continues many conversations it had in the past (it is, relatively, quite a young tradition). Currently, there is much conversation around feminism/continental feminism, as well as much more recent developments in post-colonial theory. Phenomenology, psychoanalysis, aesthetics, and most 19th to 20th century traditions still hold strong in their evolving ways. And indeed, in following its given name, the style is most present in Europe, particularly in France—American philosophy deparments remain strongly analytic-focused. Some more modern names that may interest you are Slavoj Žižek, Alain Badiou, Étienne Balibar, Jacques Rancière, among many others you may find online or on PhilPeople.