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Philosophy and History of Philosophy: an Uneasy Couple?

Vak
2009-2010

Description

Ancient philosophers have an ambiguous attitude towards the history of their discipline: past masters provide them with authoritative texts; they compile surveys of philosophical positions to create aporiai, or as ammunition against opponents. They construe the development of philosophy as progress or decline, depending on the role philosophers picture for themselves. Since the birth of history as an academic discipline in the 18th century modern philosophers have developed philosophies of history and continue business as usual without being bothered by scholarly concerns –whereas professional historians of philosophy tend to happily disregard philosophies of history altogether.
Every reason then, to assess the claim that western philosophy is deeply historical, while historical scholarship is often ignored. What is going on here? A number of relevant ancient texts and modern reflections on (the history of) ancient philosophy serve as starting-points for discussion.

Teaching method

  • Introductory lectures

  • Student presentations

  • Independent study of academic literature

Admission requirements

BA Philosophy, Classics or History

Course objectives

Course objectives will be made available on Blackboard at the start of the course.

Required reading

To be announced

Test method

  • Class presentation

  • Paper

Time table

See: Timetable MA Philosophy

Information

prof. dr. F.A.J. de Haas ( f.a.j.de.haas@phil.leidenuniv.nl)

Registration

Please register for this course on U-twist. See registration procedure

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used for materials and handouts in advance.

Remarks

Specialisation: History of Philosophy