PHP 3786:  Fall, 2003 

Professor Charles Guignon

Office: FAO 213

Phone: 974-9839

Office hours:  Thurs 11:00-1:00 and by appointment

guignon@chuma1.cas.usf.edu

 

                 

Existentialism

 

Course Objectives:

We will be reading and discussing the work of four of the greatest thinkers in the Existentialist tradition: Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Sartre.  Each of these philosophers has tried to understand what life can and should amount to in our modern world.  In the light of what these thinkers say, we shall explore such questions as: the loss of faith in a secularized world, the possibility of commitment, the question of what we can know, the ultimate nature of reality, the limits of science, the place of the individual in society, the possibility of authentic existence, the nature of love, the human capacity for free will, and the limitations of morality in determining how we should act.  The goal is to get a deep understanding of the views of these philosophers, to be able to critically evaluate their views, and to develop our own personal philosophy for dealing with existential questions.

 
Text:  EXISTENTIALISM: BASIC WRITINGS, eds., C. Guignon and D. Pereboom (2nd edition, Hackett Publishing)

 

Tentative Reading Schedule:

 

Aug 26             Introduction

Aug 28             Sartre, “The Humanism of Existentialism,” pp. 290-308, and pp. xiii-xxxi

 

Sept 2-11         Kierkegaard on human nature: pp. 1-17, 26-55

Sept 16            “Problems”: pp. 55-77

Sept 18            Commitment (“faith”): pp. 78-81, and pp. xxxi-xxxv.

Sept 23            Subjective truth: pp. 85-92

Sept. 30 – Kierkegaard paper due

 

Sept 25-30       Nietzsche and the Philosophy of Life: pp. 93-128

Oct 2-16          The Death of God: pp. 129-171

Oct 21-23        Twilight of the Idols: pp. 172-181

Oct. 28 – Nietzsche paper due

 

Oct 28-Nov 6  Heidegger on “Being-in-the-world”: pp. 183-243

Nov 13            Authenticity: pp. 243-254

Nov. 18 – Heidegger paper due

 

Nov 18-25       Sartre’s atheist Existentialism: pp. 255-275, 309-338

Dec 2-4           Facticity and Freedom: pp. 352-355

 

Course Plan:

 

I will begin each class by introducing the topics and readings for that day and offering an interpretation of the works being discussed.  Students should join in the discussion at any time, asking questions, making suggestions, or making comparisons with other texts we have read or with events in actual life.  As Existentialism claims to speak directly to events and experiences in concrete existence, one aim of the class discussion will be to illuminate general and/or abstract claims with concrete examples from films, television, novels or personal experiences. 

 

Our method in class will be to look very closely at particular textual passages to see what they mean.  So bring the book with you to each class and be sure to do the readings in advance.  The best way to read is with a sharp pencil, noting important questions, writing notes in the margins, and putting question marks wherever you do not understand what is said.  Then, in class, ask questions about unclear ideas at the appropriate time.

 

Note that a significant part of your grade depends on how closely you are following the class presentations and how well prepared you are for class.  Regular attendance and paying attention are extremely important.  Exams and papers will be based on the ideas presented in class.

 

Requirements:

 

Read the assigned texts before class and be prepared to ask questions.

 

Three short (about 3 – 4 page) reflection papers will be due during the semester.  Suggested topics will be handed out in advance.  You should always write a draft of your paper before you write the actual paper.  Keep a copy of your draft – I may ask to see it.  In the reflections you will (1) present the ideas of the philosopher being discussed on some topic we have covered in class (about 2/3 to ¾ of the paper), and (2) present and defend your own views and criticisms on that topic.  In grading the reflections, I will be looking for a solid grasp of the ideas in the text and class discussions, effective writing (clear, deep, well organized, specific, precise, original, etc.), and insight into the topics addressed in class. 

 

For the final exam, you have a choice of either (1) a take-home exam or (2) a two-hour essay-type exam to be taken at the scheduled time for the exam.  The exam will be comprehensive, though there will be special emphasis on the last materials discussed.

 

Grading:                      Reflections                    50%

                                    Final Exam                   35%

                                    Class participation        15%

 

Students who will miss class due to religious observance must inform me in advance and make arrangements to make up missed work.  Students who are absent more than three days during the semester should present evidence of a medical excuse.  Papers turned in after the due date will be marked down one increment of a grade (a “+” or a “-”) for each class day late.  Papers more than three class days late will not be accepted.