PHI 306 - The History of 19th Century Philosophy (1)

This course explores important European thinkers of the 19^th century, an extremely exciting and dynamic period in which great thinkers responded to each other’s work. We will eavesdrop on their conversations with and criticisms of each other, and actively participate. Specifically, this course analyzes the profound philosophical implications of Imannuel Kant’s (1724-1804) work, and provides students with an in-depth consideration of some of the major figures in 19^th century European (post-Kantian) philosophy, including, but not limited to: G.W.F. Hegel (1770-1831), Karl Marx (1818-1883), Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855), and Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900). The dominant question of this period is how to give our lives meaning, especially in relation to autonomy, history, and religion. We will focus on understanding history as an articulation of reason, critiques of religion and morality, and on notions of human individuality and “life” that became the basis for 20^th century philosophical movements including existentialism and phenomenology. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Alternate years.
(Humanities)