1. Historical Development of Analytic Philosophy
– Influence of Austrian realism on analytic philosophy
– Introduction of intentionality problem by Franz Brentano
– Ontology of nonexistent objects by Alexius Meinong
– Role of the Polish Lwów–Warsaw school and the Graz School
– Gottlob Frege’s significance as the father of analytic philosophy
– Bertrand Russell and G. E. Moore’s rejection of British idealism
– Russell’s paradox undermining Frege’s logicist project
– Development of ideal language for philosophical analysis
– Logical atomism by Ludwig Wittgenstein and Bertrand Russell
– Logical positivism by the Vienna Circle and Berlin Circle
2. Key Figures and Concepts in Analytic Philosophy
– Contributions of Gottlob Frege to predicate logic and philosophy of language
– Bertrand Russell’s theory of definite descriptions and Principia Mathematica
– Emphasis on logical form and ideal language in analytic philosophy
– Ludwig Wittgenstein’s logical atomism and Tractatus
– Logical positivism and the verification principle
– Post-WWII focus on ordinary language philosophy
– Saul Kripke’s revival of metaphysics and Naming and Necessity
– David Lewis’ modal realism and counterpart theory
3. Contemporary Developments in Analytic Philosophy
– Revival of metaphysics in the second half of the 20th century
– Criticisms leading to the decline of logical positivism
– Contributions of W. V. O. Quine to analytic philosophy
– Metaphysical theorizing in contemporary analytic philosophy
– Saul Kripke’s essence and identity theories
– Realism about natural kinds and Humean supervenience
4. Analytic Philosophy Topics and Debates
– Mereology and its formal study of parts and wholes
– Peter Van Inwagen’s views on free will and determinism
– Philosophical discussions on personal identity
– Principle of Sufficient Reason and its importance in debates
– Defense and criticism of the PSR by various philosophers
5. Influence and Spread of Analytic Philosophy
– Spread of analytic philosophy to various regions
– Prominent figures in the dissemination of analytic philosophy
– Influence of key analytic philosophers on different philosophical areas
– Impact of analytic philosophy on metaphysical and philosophical debates
– Evolution of analytic philosophy into contemporary philosophical thought
Analytic philosophy is a broad, contemporary movement or tradition within Western philosophy and especially anglophone philosophy focused on analysis.
Analytic philosophy is often contrasted with continental philosophy, coined as a catch-all term for other methods, prominent in continental Europe, most notably existentialism, phenomenology, and Hegelianism. The distinction has also been drawn as analytic is academic or technical philosophy, while continental is literary philosophy.
Analytic philosophy is characterized by a style of clarity of prose and rigor in arguments, making use of formal logic and mathematics, and, to a lesser degree, the natural sciences. It is further characterized by an interest in language and meaning known as the linguistic turn. It has developed several new branches of philosophy and logic, notably philosophy of language, philosophy of mathematics, philosophy of science, modern predicate logic and mathematical logic.
The proliferation of analysis in philosophy began around the turn of the 20th century and has been dominant since the latter half of the 20th century. Central figures in its historical development are Gottlob Frege, Bertrand Russell, G. E. Moore, and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Other important figures in its history include Franz Brentano, the logical positivists (particularly Rudolf Carnap), the ordinary language philosophers, W. V. O. Quine, and Karl Popper. After the decline of logical positivism, Saul Kripke, David Lewis, and others led a revival in metaphysics.
