Mission

Our department is an institution that handles national and international cultural accumulation within
the framework of interdisciplinary cooperation, evaluates it with a critical attitude, interprets the
results obtained from a philosophical point of view, shares them with society and educates students
who are sensitive to world problems.

Vision

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The aim of our department is to address scientific, technological and social developments in a
theoretical framework in accordance with its mission; to examine the consequences of the moral,
political and legal problems caused by these developments and to produce new solutions; to
 cooperate with universities at national and international level on the basis of faculty and students
within the framework of a wide variety of and purposeful academic activities.

Istanbul Philosophy from History to Today

The history of the Department of Philosophy at Istanbul University almost coincides with the history
of modern philosophy in Turkey and dates back to the Darülfünun, the first Western university in the
Ottoman Empire. An independent Philosophy Department was established at the Darülfünun around
1910, and many names of Ottoman-Turkish modernization served in the Philosophy Department.
After the 1933 University Reform, some of its professors were purged, Istanbul Philosophy was re-
established by Hans Reichenbach and strengthened its staff with young philosophers who had
completed their doctorates abroad and foreign professors. The list of important philosophers who
graduated from Istanbul Philosophy is quite long.

Istanbul Philosophy, which consists of the departments of History of Philosophy, Logic, Systematic
Philosophy and History of Turkish-Islamic Thought, is an institution that evaluates national and
international cultural accumulation within the framework of interdisciplinary cooperation, evaluates
it critically, interprets the results obtained from a philosophical point of view, shares them with
society and educates students who are sensitive to world problems.

What Does Istanbul Philosophy Promise?

Istanbul Philosophy, the oldest philosophy department in Turkey, offers its students;

*Gaining critical thinking/reading/writing skills,

*To comprehend the known history of philosophy for about 2500 years from a holistic perspective,

*To have a comprehensive knowledge about the basic problems of philosophical disciplines
(ontology, epistemology, ethics, politics, aesthetics, etc.),
*Acquiring a foundation in the classical languages of philosophy (Greek, Arabic, Latin, Ottoman
Turkish),

*Specialization in various areas of philosophy thanks to a large pool of elective courses,

*Through seminars, workshops, reading groups, symposiums and panel discussions throughout the
year, students have the opportunity to participate directly in philosophical debates.

Academic and Social Opportunities at Istanbul Philosophy

​*Our students can complete the courses required for the formation of philosophy group teaching
with the courses they will take from the departments of Sociology and Psychology. If they meet the
necessary conditions, they can benefit from Double Major and Minor opportunities. In addition, they
can continue their education in universities abroad with which our department has an agreement
through the Erasmus program.

*Our students can make use of the Istanbul University Central Library and the Faculty of Letters
Library as well as the Specialized Library of the Department of Philosophy for their academic studies.

*The Philosophy Society, which was established in 2002 within the department and whose
functioning is directed by our students, not only deepens students' interest in philosophy by
encouraging them to research and question various problems of philosophy through student
congresses, text readings, film readings, workshops and excursions organized every semester, but
also provides an opportunity for students to come together.

What distinguishes Istanbul Philosophy from other philosophy departments in Turkey?

As Turkey's first philosophy department, Istanbul Philosophy hosted many names such as Rıza Tevfik,
Mehmet Emin Erişirgil, Mustafa Şekip Tunç, Hans Reichenbach, Ernst von Aster, Walter Kranz, Heinz
Heimsoeth, Macit Gökberk, Takiyettin Mengüşoğlu, Hilmi Ziya Ülken, Teoman Duralı, Mahmut Kaya,
Şafak Ural, Atilla Erdemli and made significant contributions to the development of philosophy in
Turkey.

Teo Grünberg (METU), Ioanna Kuçuradi (Hacettepe University/Maltepe University), Hüseyin Batuhan
(METU), Nusret Hızır (Ankara University), Önay Sözer (Boğaziçi University), Uluğ Nutku (Cumhuriyet
University/Çukurova University), Nejat Bozkurt (Kocaeli University), Betül Çotuksöken (Maltepe
University), Necla Arat, İhsan Fazlıoğlu (Istanbul Medeniyet University), Teoman Duralı (Ibn Haldun
University).

Philosophy Arkivi, one of Turkey's leading academic philosophy journals, has been published by
Istanbul Philosophy since 1945. In addition, the faculty members of our department pioneer the
publication of reputable philosophy journals such as Kutadgubilig Journal of Philosophy-Science
Research, Nazariyat, Felsefi Düşün.

The Logic Application and Research Center and the Islamic Studies Center affiliated to our university
are managed by Istanbul Philosophy faculty members.

In which fields can Istanbul Philosophy graduates work?

Students who graduate from our department receive the title of "philosopher". They can pursue an
academic career by continuing postgraduate education in line with their interests, they can work in
the educational and cultural units of public institutions or private organizations, and our graduates
who complete the formation training can work as Philosophy Group Teachers.

Opinions of our students

Ali Furkan Giray: Studying in the Department of Philosophy enables me to look at events and
situations with a critical eye and develops the ability to find solutions to problems. I think it is an
advantage that my department has various departments. I can reach professors about almost all the
subjects I want to study. Our professors in the department are interested in students, accept
criticism and are solution-oriented.

Suat Kutay Küçükler: Istanbul Philosophy is a department where different schools intersect, and this,
combined with its deep-rooted history, offers very good opportunities for philosophical
development. The coexistence of different approaches makes the history of philosophy not only a
mere memorization of history, but also provides motivation to produce solutions to current
problems.

Temmuz Taha Şamcı: I.U. Department of Philosophy, above all, has enabled me to organize my own
life in a more purposeful, conscious and planned manner with the methodological and logical
education it provides. This is because the education and training I receive push me to observe the
society, life, people and myself in a more methodical way and to act on these observations. In
addition, the friendship shown by experienced and successful lecturers and the knowledge they
conveyed contributed a lot to my intellectual development. Philosophy education has significantly
improved my ability to make inferences and decisions about how to live my life, both materially and
spiritually.

Istanbul Philosophy on Social Media

Social Media Accounts of our department:

Facebook: facebook.com/iufelsefe
Instagram: @iufelsefe
Twitter: @IUFelsefe