Beeld bij cursus Twee eeuwen filosofie in Rusland
Beeld bij cursus Twee eeuwen filosofie in Rusland

Course - Two Centuries of Philosophy in Russia

Course in Dutch - Russia has its own philosophical tradition, with one foot in the West and one in its own heritage. Russian culture—and thus its philosophy—is preoccupied with its own identity and with its relationship to the West. Russian thought engages with the so-called “Russian Idea”: the notion that Russia has a particular destiny or even a mission in world history. Learn more about philosophy in Russia in this seven-part course taught by philosopher Evert van der Zweerde.

    General

    The language of this course is Dutch. 

    Recognizable and Elusive

    Russia is currently pursuing an aggressive foreign policy, such as the brutal invasion of Ukraine. How does the Russian philosophical tradition of the past two centuries relate to its present-day foreign policy? With roots in ancient Greek philosophy, the Orthodox Christian tradition, and Western thought, its philosophical ideas about culture, politics, and religion are partly recognizable, yet also partly elusive.

    The Russian Idea

    The book (in Dutch) De Russische idee. Twee eeuwen Russische filosofie serves as the guiding thread of this course. Philosopher and Russia expert Evert van der Zweerde wrote the foreword. In each session, he introduces the philosophers to be discussed and places them in their context. Afterwards, you will jointly examine a fragment of the thinker’s work, and Evert van der Zweerde will provide further explanation. Naturally, there is ample opportunity for questions and discussion.

    Get acquainted with a selection of twelve leading Russian thinkers, read from their works, and be inspired by philosopher Evert van der Zweerde as you explore two centuries of philosophy in Russia.

    Starting date

    02 September 2026, 2 pm
    City
    Nijmegen (campus Radboud University)
    Wednesday 2 September 2026
    Costs
    €245
    The participation fee is € 245,00. Additionally, you are required to purchase the book De Russische idee. Twee eeuwen Russische filosofie yourself, priced at € 28,50.
    Educational method
    On-site
    Main Language
    Dutch
    Sessions
    02 September 2026, 2 pm - 5 pm
    09 September 2026, 2 pm - 5 pm
    16 September 2026, 2 pm - 5 pm
    23 September 2026, 2 pm - 5 pm
    30 September 2026, 2 pm - 5 pm
    07 October 2026, 2 pm - 5 pm
    14 October 2026, 2 pm - 5 pm
    Number of sessions
    7
    Deadline registration
    01 September 2026, 5 pm
    Maximum number of participants
    25

    Factsheet

    Type of education
    Course
    Entry requirements
    No prior knowledge is required.
    Study hours
    21
    Organisation
    Radboud Reflects

    Contact information

    Do you want to find out more? Mail to cursussen-reflects [at] ru.nl (cursussen-reflects[at]ru[dot]nl)

    The language of the course is Dutch. Please visit the Dutch page for more information. 

    Visit the Dutch page

    Evert van der Zweerde is a political philosopher and expert on Russia. He has published on Russian philosophy both in Russia and abroad. In addition, as a political philosopher he conducts research on democracy, with a focus on ideology, Marxism, and civil society.

    Evert van der Zweerde is also a frequent speaker at the public lectures of Radboud Reflects. His lecture “The Philosophers Behind Putin” from 2016 has been viewed more than 428,000 times on YouTube. Watch the video.

    In connection with the book that serves as literature for this course, an interview with Evert van der Zweerde recently appeared in Filosofie Magazine. Read the interview (in Dutch) here.

    The language of the course is Dutch. Please visit the Dutch page for more information. 

    Visit the Dutch page