<p>I am currently researching a wide variety of colleges and universities, especially in relation to their philosophy departments. To my disappointment, however, the large majority of undergraduate institutions which attract me are considered to be in the “analytic” tradition of philosophy.</p>
<p>Now, I am going to diverge and explain a few of the reasons I am uncomfortable with the analytic tradition. Skip over if desired: </p>
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<p>Now, do not misunderstand, I hold a great respect and keen interest in the practice of analytic philosophy. At the same time, I view it as too narrow and too close-minded to be considered representative of the whole of philosophy. Metaphysics, ethics, and value theory (in its broadest sense) are perhaps the fields of philosophy that I am most interested in studying, and yet these are often underemphasized or even ignored in analytic philosophy. </p>
<p>My primary gripe with analytic philosophy is its limited scope. Rather than allow rationality to fully explore the greatest and most fundamental questions of humanity, it chisels away all things broad or untenable, without exploring the propositions fully. Are not the principle of empiricism, the authority of science, and the value of logic subject to the consideration of philosophy as well? Since when has philosophy, which seeks to strip bear the presuppositions and assumptions of mankind, been inextricably tied to its own presuppositions? </p>
<p>Beyond this, I take a strong interest in metaphilosophy – the philosophy of philosophy. I view the subject matters of philosophy, the practice, and even the study of its practice as continuous. I regard the purpose for philosophical study as equal in importance to the specific questions it explores. Constant re-evaluation is healthy, and integration of philosophical disciplines paramount. I view philosophy as, in ways, synoptic and uncaged. Suppressions of questions, or the curtailment of reason, I view as unforeseen but unavoidable byproducts of the analytic tradition.</p>
<p>At the same time, I believe thorough analysis has its role, where it is needed. While epistemology hinges on broader metaphysical questions, such as the role of truth and knowledge and its greater context in relation to the mind, the external world, and so forth, in the direct evaluation of the veracity of an argument or the logic behind a statement, analytic methods are essential. While one must never withhold the methods themselves from scrutiny, the rigorous approaches of analytic philosophy are revolutionary and valuable in the fields of epistemology, philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics, philosophy of language and so forth. I do not doubt the assertions of analytic philosophy, necessarily, so much as adherents’ common refusal to trace their logic beyond the standards they abide by (formal logic, the authority of science…) or to address questions they deem subjective (some of ethics, metaphysics, aesthetics). Their over-obsession with being right might blind them to the fact that philosophy, above all, should satisfy a purpose, and not merely be a practice. Reason, while associated with truth, cannot be melded with it, such that reason is tied only to the pursuit of truth (which, if the case, would mean the end, “truth”, would be outside reason itself, despite being a concept local to the human mind). </p>
<p>Now, if you did care to read this, I admire your persistence! Of course, this is not some type of thesis or formal argument. I have quickly typed this up to reflect thoughts circling in my head at this moment in time. More would pop up after further pondering, and I am sure that there are several loopholes in my above reasonings. I do not have the time, nor the interest, to perfect this as though I were using it as a thesis. Therefore, in your answers, please do not argue with my above assertions or thoughts, but rather with my primary questions, which will follow.</p>
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<p>My question, then, is as follows: What philosophy departments, among North American undergraduate institutions, are most considered “non-analytic”, or at least appear open to views that differ from the majority of analytic philosophers? Or, even if the schools consider themselves more in line with the analytic tradition, which offer the most extensive course lists – including names such as Hegel and Sartre and in depth studies of fields such as metaphysics, ethics, value theory (in its broadest sense), and so forth, which are usually not as central in analytic philosophy?</p>
<p>I am sure there are multiple institutions which satisfy the above stipulations. If so, I would like listed the schools considered highest in quality and most academically-minded, in line with the most highly-selective institutions in North America. Personal experience or advice that strays slightly from the stated question would also be appreciated.</p>
<p>Thank you to all answerers, in advance!</p>