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Continental vs. Analytic philosophy Today it’s common to refer to two predominant types of philosophical thought: Continental philosophy and Analytic philosophy. The term “Continental philosophy” was first coined in the 1950s in Britain by university departments of Analytic philosophy as a term of criticism and even abuse. Universities in the US followed suit in the 1960s and 70s. Continental philosophy represents what we Analytic philosophers wish to reject. Although the term “Continental philosophy” stems from the second half of the 20th century it was not a term that any of the philosophers, themselves, would have recognized when they were writing in the 18th, 19th and first half of the 20th centuries. 8
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The two traditions of Analytic and Continental philosophies are often opposed to each other and there have been many disputes between the differently aligned philosophers about each other’s work. These disputes have had a significant effect on the academic agendas and staffing of university departments of philosophy over the past four decades. Analytic philosophy continues to predominate in departments of philosophy in the US and even in Europe. While Continental philosophy has something of a presence in university departments of philosophy, its influence is felt more in the humanities, in the fields of literary studies, art theory and cultural studies. 9

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Continental vs. Analytic philosophy

Today it’s common to refer to two predominant types of philosophical thought: Continental philosophy and Analytic philosophy. The term “Continental philosophy” was first coined in the 1950s in Britain by university departments of Analytic philosophy as a term of criticism and even abuse. Universities in the US followed suit in the 1960s and 70s.

Continental philosophy represents what we Analytic philosophers wish to reject.

Although the term “Continental philosophy” stems from the second half of the 20th century it was not a term that any of the philosophers, themselves, would have recognized when they were writing in the 18th, 19th and first half of the 20th centuries.

8

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