Syllabus
Requirements and preparation
Relevant philosophical reading: The student is required to choose at least twelve items from the List of Literature (for more information and specifications see the appropriate file) and study them carefully. Titles should be chosen with regard to the list of philosophical problems. The selected works should allow the student to be able to answer any question from the list. While answering the problem, the student should not refer to literature not included in the list. The list of literature thus defines the specific intellectual area for the disputation. Students are advised to consult their list of literature with a teacher well before they register for the exam.
List of problems (quaestiones disputatae): The list is inspired by the medieval dialectical form of the “disputed questions”, a method of philosophical discussion aimed at addressing the relevant issues of the time. Each question presents a philosophical problem that can be addressed in different contexts.
Course of the exam
A random question from the list (quaestiones disputatae, see the file) will be chosen for a student. After about 30 minutes allowed for preparation, the student is asked to present, develop and compare different philosophical approaches based on his/her list of readings. In this crucial part of the exam, the student proves his/her ability to think philosophically about the given problem and to use concepts and views of the selected books/authors adequately. A discussion with examiners is an important part of the exam. The student can also be asked about any item in his/her list of literature. Proper use of literature in answering the philosophical problems (quaestiones disputatae) and level of student's understanding are evaluated.
Annotation
The comprehensive exam in philosophical anthropology uses philosophical disputation to test students' understanding of fundamental philosophical concepts, and to assess their ability to debate upon a given philosophical issue, while drawing from the relevant readings of their choice.