The Origins of Analytic Philosophy

In this course we will look at the very beginnings of Analytic Philosophy. We will start by looking at two of the most influential Oxford Idealists, F. H. Bradley and T.H. Green, and their notions of truth, self-evidence, and being. In the wake of 20th century, Bertrand Russell and G.E. Moore reacted to Bradley’s and Green’s versions of Platonic Idealism. We will focus on Russell’s and Moore’s responses and their subsequent ‘counter-offer’ to Western philosophy which becomes known as the Analytic tradition. We will also look, in passing only, at A. J. Ayer’s of Bradley’s philosophy, as well as Carnap’s refutation of metaphysics. At the end of the course, the professor will provide a quick glimpse at where Analytic philosophy is today, in the wake of the 21st century.