Analytic & Continental Philosophy

Preface

Analytic and Continental Philosophy are notoriously hard to explicitly define. Instead academics have taken to describing characteristics of each. Below I will outline what I’ve learned about each to clarify it for future discussions.

Analytic Philosophy

Analytic Philosophy is a philosophical tradition that emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in the English-speaking world, characterized by its rigorous attention to clarity and argumentation, often employing Formal Logic and analysis of language. It seeks to clarify concepts and arguments by breaking them down into their most basic components, much like a mathematician or scientist might dissect a problem. This tradition places a high value on the precision of language, logical consistency, and empirical verification, often distancing itself from the speculative or metaphysical elements found in Continental Philosophy. Key figures in this movement include Bertrand Russell, G.E. Moore, Ludwig Wittgenstein (especially his early work), and later figures like W.V.O. Quine and Saul Kripke. Analytic Philosophy often focuses on problems in Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Philosophy of Mind, and Philosophy of Language, aiming to resolve philosophical issues through detailed analysis and argumentation.

Continental Philosophy

Continental Philosophy is a broad tradition of philosophical thought that originated in 20th-century Europe, primarily in Germany and France, as opposed to the analytic tradition more common in the English-speaking world. It encompasses a diverse range of thinkers and ideas but is often characterized by its focus on Metaphysics, Phenomenology, Existentialism, Hermeneutics, and Critical Theory. Unlike Analytic Philosophy, which tends to emphasize logic, language, and empirical verification, continental philosophy often engages with historical and cultural contexts, human experience, and the nature of being (ontology) in a more literary or speculative manner. Key figures include Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, and Foucault, each bringing unique perspectives but generally sharing a concern with the conditions of possibility for knowledge, meaning, and existence itself.