Major in Philosophy（Master's and Doctoral Courses）
Philosophy（MA, PhD） / Education（MA, PhD）
What it is to be human and what Life is are the two themes researched through the fields of philosophy, ethics or religious studies according to individual interest
This study consists of three fields: Philosophy, Ethics and Religious Studies. Also included in the range of study are Japanese philosophy since the time of Manshi Kiyozawa, the first president of Otani University, as well as the study of human relationships and thanatology. Students follow their interests with inquiries into fundamental questions “What is it to be human?” and “What is Life” through one of the fields listed above.
In “Basic Studies of Philosophy” students study basic principles and fundamental issues in philosophy, ethics and religious studies through philosophical documents or the writings of Plato, Descartes, Locke, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger and Levinas. Built onto this foundation, students move on to “Advanced Studies of Philosophy I (lectures)” and “Advanced Studies of Philosophy II (textual studies)” to clarify individual interests under the guidance of their professors. In “Advanced Studies of Philosophy III (seminars)” students make an in-depth study into their area of research while giving presentations and listening to presentations made by fellow classmates.
Other than the major subjects listed above, there are classes related to this theme, such as “Philosophy,” “Ethics” and “Religious Studies” into which students can participate to foster multi-faceted perspective.
※The Master’s Course, Philosophy Major, Sociology Course is established from April 2018 as a transition measure for the cancellation of recruitment for the Master’s Course, Sociology Major in 2018. Recruitment is for enrollment from April 2018 academic term to April 2021 academic term.
【Doctoral Course】
On the foundation of an intensive reading of documents, deep thinking and deployment of minute argument to expand and deepen research achieved in the Master’s Course.
The Philosophy Course and Education Course are established in this major. The theme of the Doctoral Course is to further expand and deepen the horizon of research achieved in the Master’s Course. To do so, it is necessary for students to conduct an intensive reading of documents, and with this as the foundation, construct thorough proofs and arguments.
Therefore, students are required to proactively study Greek and Latin and participate in reading sessions in addition to attending textual study to heighten comprehension of documents.
Furthermore, students should actively participate in various academic societies, special graduate school seminars (for example, the university has invited Dr. Gerhard M. Martin of University of Marburg as a visiting professor from 2007 to 2008) to see the research trend in and outside of Japan and to make use of these in their own research.
In order to acquire the doctoral degree, students will have to submit a doctoral dissertation to the “Graduate School Research Bulletin,” as well as submitting two more reports. Students will move forward with their research under the guidance of their professor for the submission of papers to academic journals.
※Recruitment for the Doctoral Course, Philosophy Major, Education Course is stopped from the April 2019 academic term.
Master's Course
Basic Courses
Buddhist Thought
Basic Studies of Philosophy (textual studies)
Core Courses
Advanced Studies of Philosophy I (lectures)
Advanced Studies of Philosophy II (textual studies)
Advanced Studies of Philosophy III (seminars)
Doctoral Course
Basic Courses
Buddhist Thought
Core Courses
Advanced Studies of Philosophy I (lectures)
Advanced Studies of Philosophy II (textual studies)
Advanced Studies of Philosophy III (seminars)
Related Courses
Studies of Foreign Cultures（textual studies）
In “Basic Studies of Philosophy” students study basic principles and fundamental issues in philosophy, ethics and religious studies through philosophical documents or the writings of Plato, Descartes, Locke, Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger and Levinas. Built onto this foundation, students move on to “Advanced Studies of Philosophy I (lectures)” and “Advanced Studies of Philosophy II (textual studies)” to clarify individual interests under the guidance of their professors. In “Advanced Studies of Philosophy III (seminars)” students make an in-depth study into their area of research while giving presentations and listening to presentations made by fellow classmates.
Other than the major subjects listed above, there are classes related to this theme, such as “Philosophy,” “Ethics” and “Religious Studies” into which students can participate to foster multi-faceted perspective.
※The Master’s Course, Philosophy Major, Sociology Course is established from April 2018 as a transition measure for the cancellation of recruitment for the Master’s Course, Sociology Major in 2018. Recruitment is for enrollment from April 2018 academic term to April 2021 academic term.
【Doctoral Course】
On the foundation of an intensive reading of documents, deep thinking and deployment of minute argument to expand and deepen research achieved in the Master’s Course.
The Philosophy Course and Education Course are established in this major. The theme of the Doctoral Course is to further expand and deepen the horizon of research achieved in the Master’s Course. To do so, it is necessary for students to conduct an intensive reading of documents, and with this as the foundation, construct thorough proofs and arguments.
Therefore, students are required to proactively study Greek and Latin and participate in reading sessions in addition to attending textual study to heighten comprehension of documents.
Furthermore, students should actively participate in various academic societies, special graduate school seminars (for example, the university has invited Dr. Gerhard M. Martin of University of Marburg as a visiting professor from 2007 to 2008) to see the research trend in and outside of Japan and to make use of these in their own research.
In order to acquire the doctoral degree, students will have to submit a doctoral dissertation to the “Graduate School Research Bulletin,” as well as submitting two more reports. Students will move forward with their research under the guidance of their professor for the submission of papers to academic journals.
※Recruitment for the Doctoral Course, Philosophy Major, Education Course is stopped from the April 2019 academic term.
Master's Course
Basic Courses
Buddhist Thought
Basic Studies of Philosophy (textual studies)
Core Courses
Advanced Studies of Philosophy I (lectures)
Advanced Studies of Philosophy II (textual studies)
Advanced Studies of Philosophy III (seminars)
Doctoral Course
Basic Courses
Buddhist Thought
Core Courses
Advanced Studies of Philosophy I (lectures)
Advanced Studies of Philosophy II (textual studies)
Advanced Studies of Philosophy III (seminars)
Related Courses
Studies of Foreign Cultures（textual studies）