Prospectus

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The Turn to the Body in Modern Philosophy: Descartes, Spinoza, Schopenhauer and Nietzsche

Course
2013-2014

Admission requirements

BA degree in Philosophy or equivalent. Some familiarity with the works of the philosophers mentioned in the course title is a big advantage.

Description

This course examines the central role of the notion of body in the works of four of the most influential thinkers in modern philosophy. The two key questions that this course addresses are: A) Why do these four philosophers have recourse to the body and to physiology in order to answer the philosophical questions that they face? and B) How exactly does the concept of body help them in the philosophical work they perform? Addressing these questions will offer a solid understanding of the connections between the four and a good grasp the intellectual tradition of which they were part and which they opposed.

Course objectives

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

Timetable

See Collegeroosters Wijsbegeerte 2013-2014 , MA Philosophy 60 EC en 120 EC.
See Timetables Philosophy 2013-2014 , Timetables MA Philosophy 60 EC/120 EC

Mode of instruction

Lectures and seminars

Course load

To be announced.

Assessment method

  • Active participation in the seminars including seminar-assignments and oral presentations (50%).

  • Paper on a topic of the student’s choice, subject to the express approval of the instructor (50%).

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used for posting texts and assignments.

Reading list

  • Descartes, Passions of the Soul and selected letters to Princess Elisabeth.

  • Spinoza, Ethics. Selections from Book 2,3 and 4.

  • Schopenhauer, The World as Will and Representation, Selected chapters.

  • Nietzsche, Various texts from the Kritische Studienausgabe (DTV/de Gruyter, 1980ff.).

Registration

Please register for this course on uSis.
See Inschrijven voor cursussen en tentamens
See Registration for courses and examinations

Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.
See also Registration for courses and examinations

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Not applicable.

Contact information

R. Ioan, MA

Remarks