University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2010-2011Last update : 11/04/2011
PHIL0027-1  Contemporary philosophical texts
Duration :  30h Th
Credits/ECTS :  
Bachelor in philosophy, 3rd yearFirst semester4
One-year preliminary programme leading to the Master in PhilosophyFirst semester4
Holder(s) :  Arnaud Dewalque
Language :  French language
Course contents :  The course is devoted to the topic of intentionality, that is to the basic ability we have to refer to the world, to be "directed towards" something (directedness) or to be "in a mental state about" something (aboutness). For the Austrian philosopher Franz Brentano (1839-1917) and, especially, for his former pupil Edmund Husserl (1859-1938), the concept of intentionality has been the subject of far-reaching controversies. We will examine some of those controversies: the issue of objectless presentations, the internalism-externalism opposition, the issue of possibility conditions of intentionality (Fregean reading vs. Heideggerian reading), the distinction between extrinsic and intrinsic intentionality, and so on. The examination of those points will be based on the reading of classical texts, which will be discussed during the course.
Course objective :  To clarify an important issue of contemporary philosophy.
Prerequisites :  This course is aimed at students in Philosophy only.
Workshops :  Set books:
  • K. Twardowski, On the Content and Object of Presentations (1894), engl. trans. R. Grossmann, The Hague, Nijhoff, 1977, § 1-7.
  • A. Meinong, "The Theory of Objects", in R. Chisholm (ed.), Realism and the Background of Phenomenology, Glencoe, Free Press, 1960; reprint: Atascadero, Ridgeview, 1981, p. 76-117.
  • E. Husserl, Logical Investigations, engl. trans. J. N. Findlay, London, Routledge, 1973, Fifth Logical Investigation, Chapter 2: "Consciousness as Intentional Experience".
  • E. Husserl, Ideas Pertaining to a Pure Phenomenology and to a Phenomenological Philosophy - First Book: General Introduction to a Pure Phenomenology, engl. trans. F. Kersten, The Hague, Nijhoff, 1982.
  • M. Heidegger, Being and Time, § 9-18, engl. trans. J. Macquarrie and E. Robinson, London, SCM Press, 1962.
  • R. Chisholm, "Intentional Inexistence", in Id., Perceiving, New York, Cornell University Press, 1957; reprint 1961, p. 168-185.
  • J. Searle, "The Nature of Intentional States", in Id., Intentionality. An Essay in the Philosophy of Mind, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1983; reprinted 1999, Ch. I, p. 1-36.
The reading of the texts is required for students in philosophy. It is optional for listeners who follow the course without being officially registered as students. A complete bibliography will be made available for listeners.
Organization :  The course takes place during the first quadrimester, on Tuesday from 10 to 12 AM. First lesson: Tuesday 23.09.2010. Schedule (might be subject to modifications during the year):
  • 23/09/10: Practical modalities and introduction.
  • 30/09/10: Introduction, continuation; the content-object distinction - Text: K. Twardowski.
  • 07/10/10: Objectless presentations - Text: K. Twardowski.
  • 14/10/10: The object theory - Text: A. Meinong.
  • 21/10/10: The object theory, continuation - Text: A. Meinong.
  • 28/10/10: Actual content and intentional content - Text: E. Husserl, 5th LI, Ch. 2.
  • 04/11/10: Husserl's theory of noema, the conceptualist or Fregean reading - Text: E. Husserl, Ideas I.
  • 11/11/10: Reading week (holiday).
  • 18/11/10: Husserl's theory of noema, the nonconceptualist reading - Lecture : E. Husserl, Idées I.
  • 25/11/10: The hermeneutical foundation of intentionality - Lecture : M. Heidegger.
  • 02/12/10: The hermeneutical foundation of intentionality, continuation - Lecture : M. Heidegger.
  • 09/12/10: The linguistic turn of intentionality - Lecture : R. Chisholm.
  • 16/12/10: Internalism vs. externalism - Lecture : J. Searle.
  • 23/12/10: Conclusive remarks; current perspectives on intentionnality.
Assessment :  Oral examination.
Contacts :  Teacher
Arnaud Dewalque
Dpt of Philosophy
7, Place du 20-août, Building A1/2d floor
B-4000 Liège
Phone: 0032(4)366.55.92
E-mail a.dewalque@ulg.ac.be


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