Metaphysics and Philosophical Anthropology Radboud University

Overview

In the Research Master in Metaphysics and Philosophical Anthropology , you will tackle fundamental questions about being, reality, human existence, and the relationship between humans and the world. You will engage with thinkers such as Kant, Hegel, Freud, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, de Beauvoir, and Latour, and explore key philosophical methods and fields of study, from German Idealism and phenomenology to hermeneutics, psychoanalysis, critical theory, and feminist philosophy.

The programme develops your conceptual and critical skills, enabling you to analyse complex questions rigorously and communicate your insights clearly. You will participate in research-focused seminars that provide targeted exploration of specific themes, while also undertaking an independent thesis project on a topic of your choice within the continental tradition.

Through this combination of focused seminars and independent research, you will gain the ability to situate classical and contemporary theories in relation to pressing philosophical, social, and ethical issues. You will learn not only to study the works of influential thinkers but also to assess what new insights they can offer in today’s context, equipping you to contribute to ongoing debates in continental philosophy and related fields.

Future career opportunities

The Research Master in Metaphysics and Philosophical Anthropology is designed for students who wish to acquire the skills needed for a career in research, either in academia or beyond. Graduates combine deep philosophical insight with strong analytical, conceptual, and investigative skills. They are trained to tackle complex questions, think critically, and communicate sophisticated ideas clearly and persuasively.

The research-focused training provides a head start for students aiming to pursue a PhD, while the transferable skills gained—conceptual analysis, exegetical work, critical thinking, and independent research—also open doors to a wide range of career paths. In recent years, around 40% of graduates have continued in academia by taking up PhD positions (with a success rate of nearly 90%). Many others apply their expertise in government, journalism, teaching, think tanks, NGOs, IT, consultancy, and roles as strategists, researchers, or policy makers in various sectors.

Research

The Center for Contemporary European Philosophy (CCEP) focuses on fundamental questions in metaphysics and philosophical anthropology, concerning the structure of reality and the nature of the human being. These questions are explored through key philosophical methods and fields of study, including German Idealism, phenomenology, hermeneutics, psychoanalysis, actor-network theory, critical theory, and new realism. CCEP researchers have deep expertise in the works of leading thinkers such as Fichte, Husserl, Sartre, Deleuze, Butler, and Derrida.

Fundamental research at the CCEP is always intertwined with contemporary issues, for example concerning ecological vulnerability, gender and identity, the human/animal distinction, religious experience, or the possibility of objective truth. The CCEP maintains close connections with continental philosophers both in the Netherlands and abroad and regularly organizes lectures and conferences that Master’s students are warmly invited to attend.

Accreditation

This programme is accredited by the NVAO (the Dutch-Flemish accreditation organisation).