Greek Universities Now Offer English-language MA in Ancient Philosophy

Four Greek Universities have joined forces to offer an English-language postgraduate study program in Ancient Philosophy in a bid to entice foreign students to Athens.

Participating academic institutions are the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the University of Patras and the University of Crete.

The operation of the new English-language postgraduate program in Ancient Philosophy will begin in a few months. The Athens MA in Ancient Philosophy promotes the study of Ancient Greek Philosophy in its entire historical and thematic scope.

It is the only program in Greece (and one of the few worldwide) that focuses exclusively on Ancient Philosophy as an object of systematic study and research.

Greek Universities’ program promotes Ancient Philosophy

The program promotes the study of Ancient Greek Philosophy in its entire historical and thematic range, from the Pre-Socratics to the philosophers of Late Antiquity, covering topics in metaphysics, ethics and epistemology.

It will offer a popularized presentation of the most important philosophers from Thales the Milesian to Aristotle, but also it will bring the past to the present, adjusting the teachings of the ancient philosophers to the problems one may face today, in order to offer a new perspective and, therefore, a different way of coping with them.

The first philosophers in Western history—the ancient Greeks—asked the most fundamental questions about human beings and their relationship to the world. More than 2,500 years later, the issues they pondered continue to challenge, fascinate, and instruct us.

The heroes of Greek philosophy, are Plato (429–347 B.C.E.) and his student, Aristotle (384–322 B.C.E.). Unlike the Pre-Socratics, who wrote too little, Plato and Aristotle were prolific authors. Both argued against relativism and instead were staunch objectivists who believed that certain important values were absolutely and universally true. And both left a staggering mark on history.

Alfred North Whitehead, the great 20th-century British philosopher, said, “The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.” In the Middle Ages, Aristotle was held in such high esteem that he was simply known as “the philosopher.”

The courses will be taught in Athens by professors from the four universities, as well as by visiting lecturers from abroad.

The duration of the program is one full academic year (12 months – 75 ECTS). The tuition fees amount to 1,800 euros ($1,934), and the language of instruction is English.

Candidates can submit their applications up until June 30. The program starts on October 1, 2023.

For more information, please click on the link