PHIL 215 - Phenomenology & Existential Thought

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

Two of the main philosophical movements of the 20^th century are phemoenology and existentialism. According to Martin Heidegger, phenomenology could be reduced to the maxim, “to the things themselves!” Inspired by the phenomenological writing of Husserl and Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre would later summarize the existential attitude with the slogan “existence precedes essence.” What do such projects entail? What are these ‘things’ philosophers speak of as phenomenologists? What does it mean for existence to precede essence? The course examines the main texts and figures of phenomenology, and existentialism, focusing on the primary questions and concepts. Starting from an examination of the study, and science, of consciousness, the course looks at: the question of being and existence, what lived experience means and how to imagine one’s projects in the world, what it means to be a being whose very existence as a mortal is a question, and how to imagine social and political commitment as a social agent and as part of a group. Osman Nemli.

Two 75-minute periods.