PHIL 335: Nineteenth-Century Philosophy

PHIL 335-001: 19th Century Philosophy
(Spring 2020)

10:30 AM to 11:45 AM MW

Innovation Hall 209

Section Information for Spring 2020

Fulfills the requirement for a course in the Continental Tradition for the Philosophy major.

This course examines the metaphysical work of three of the most influential thinkers of the 19th century: Hegel, Schopenhauer and Kierkegaard.  Most 20th century continental philosophy would be impossible without the transformational thinking of these three 19th century figures.  We will start with Hegel’s development of Cartesian Modern Philosophy and of Kant’s Critical Turn to illustrate what is at stake in the identification of epistemology and ontology.  In particular, Hegel’s Logic insists of the mediation of knowledge in order for the truth of human being as consciousness to be revealed/achieved.  In Schopenhauer and Kierkegaard we will find two responses to Hegel’s program: Schopenhauer will deny the identification of epistemology and ontology and insist that the sort of knowledge that Hegel relies on does not touch the truth of being; Kierkegaard offers a critique of mediation and insists that human being is bound in both immediacy and paradox.  The course will involve a close reading of key texts both to situate the work in historico-philosophical context and to bring these texts into dialogue with each other.

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Development of German Romanticism and Idealism during a brilliant period in the history of the West rivaled only by ancient Greece. Kant, Fichte, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Schopenhauer, and Nietzsche mount a revolt against the rationalism and scientism of the modern world. Limited to three attempts.
Recommended Prerequisite: 3 hours of PHIL or Permission of Instructor.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

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