Four prominent Greek universities have joined forces to introduce an English-language postgraduate study program in Ancient Philosophy, aiming to attract international students to Athens.

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the University of Patras, and the University of Crete are the participating academic institutions in this initiative.

Scheduled to commence in a few months, the newly established English-language postgraduate program in Ancient Philosophy, known as the Athens MA in Ancient Philosophy, will facilitate the study of Ancient Greek Philosophy in its comprehensive historical and thematic context. It stands as the sole program in Greece, and one of the few globally, that exclusively focuses on Ancient Philosophy as an object of systematic study and research.

The program offers an exploration of Ancient Greek Philosophy spanning its entire historical and thematic range, encompassing topics in metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology. It presents a comprehensive overview of influential philosophers from Thales the Milesian to Aristotle, while also bridging the past with the present by applying the teachings of ancient philosophers to contemporary challenges. This approach offers a fresh perspective and alternative methods of addressing present-day issues.

The ancient Greeks, as the first philosophers in Western history, posed fundamental questions concerning the nature of humanity and its relationship with the world. Over 2,500 years later, the issues they contemplated continue to captivate, challenge, and enlighten us.

Among the renowned figures of Greek philosophy, Plato (429–347 B.C.E.) and his student Aristotle (384–322 B.C.E.) hold a prominent place. While the Pre-Socratic philosophers left limited written records, Plato and Aristotle were prolific authors. Both philosophers opposed relativism and instead advocated for objectivism, asserting that certain fundamental values were absolute and universally true. Their enduring contributions have left an indelible mark on history.

Alfred North Whitehead, the eminent British philosopher of the 20th century, famously stated, "The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato." During the Middle Ages, Aristotle was revered to such an extent that he was simply referred to as "the philosopher."

The courses of the program will be taught in Athens by professors from the four participating universities, as well as visiting scholars from abroad. The program duration spans a full academic year, comprising 12 months or 75 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits. Tuition fees for the program amount to 1,800 euros ($1,934), and the medium of instruction is English.

Applicants have the opportunity to submit their applications until June 30, with the program scheduled to commence on October 1, 2023. Photo by Cristian Bortes from Cluj-Napoca, Romania, Wikimedia commons.