Since its foundation, the Institute of Philosophy has been one of the leading national institutions in the field. It is distinguished by its strong international presence, participation in contemporary social and theoretical debates, and wide range of research areas, from ethics, aesthetics, philosophy of science, and political philosophy to mediaeval philosophy, German idealism, psychoanalysis, and environmental philosophy.

Members of the Institute are involved in the postgraduate program Comparative Studies of Ideas and Cultures and at the European Graduate School.