(having passed Arts Philosophy and theory of 1 : Antiquity and the Middle Ages AND having passed Art philosophy and theory 2 : Modern Era) OR having passed Philosophy in art 1.

The student is able to analyze philosophical and theoretical texts independently. S/he is able to reflect on a given philosophical problem (formulated in an abstract manner).

The student has a basic knowledge of Western cultural history of the 20th century, which will form the background against which historical developments in arts, aesthetics, and philosophy are discussed during this course.

The student is sensitive to the philosophical problems surrounding the work of art and the social role of art.

The student has gained insight into the development of western philosophy. S/he has developed a basic overview of the history of philosophy of the early 20th century (philosophers, concepts, main schools).

The student has developed an understanding of the main (historical) positions in the field of the philosophy and theory of art. The student is able to link these positions to important developments in the history of philosophy.

The student has developed a historical sensitivity to the changing ideas in the field of aesthetics.

The student can read and analyze a philosophical text. S/he is able to follow and reconstruct a philosophical argument, and is able to construct a philosophical argument by her/himself (under guidance).

Central to this course is the question of the relationship between philosophy and art. The philosophers of the Western tradition have almost always approached art as an "object" for philosophical reflection. The French philosopher Alain Badiou states that philosophy has again and again "made art philosophical", that is, appropriated it and turned it into a philosophical object. Philosophy could only embrace the arts after they had been ascribed a philosophical significance.

In the twentieth century, this approach has repeatedly been criticized. New scientific disciplines, too, approached art from a very different position: as a practice of human society (in anthropology); as a symptom (in psychoanalysis); or as a signifying text (in semiotics).

All these different approaches to the artistic practice, as they came to the fore in the early 20th century, will be addressed during the course.

A selection of philosophical essays by various authors will be made available at the beginning of the course.