PHIL0027-1 : Contemporary philosophical texts

Study Programmes 2015-2016

PHIL0027-1

Contemporary philosophical texts

Duration :

30h Th

Number of credits :

Bachelor in philosophy		4
Bachelor in philosophy		4
Bachelor in philosophy		4
Master in philosophy (120 ECTS)		4
Master in philosophy (60 ECTS)		4

Lecturer :

Arnaud Dewalque

Language(s) of instruction :

French language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Course contents :

On a classical picture, one of the most important events - perhaps the most important event - in contemporary philosophy is the great divide between analytic philosophy and phenomenological philosophy. For a decade, this classical picture has nevertheless been strongly challenged in litterature. On the one hand, it appeared that analytic philosophy and phenomenology can hardly be regarded as two monolithic traditions. On the other, it also appeared that they have unexpected points of contact. Relying on this double constatation, some authors suggested that the so-called divide only had - in the best case - a sociological meaning, and that XXIth-century philosophy would better run philosophical investigations in using both analytic and phenomenologycal tools.
Drawing on the most recent researches, this course explores the ressources offered by phenomenological analysis - viz. the analysis of first-person experience - to deal with issues addressed in the field of the analytic philosophy of mind. We'll discuss in turn four basic capacities of the human mind: (i) perceiving, (ii) thinking, (iii) feeling, (iv) doing (agency). Each point will be based on the reading of classical and contemporary texts. A special focus will be given to the possible complementarity of the naturalist approach and the phenomenological approach to the mind.

Learning outcomes of the course :

Main purpose: to clarify some important issues of contemporary philosophy. By the end of the course, students are supposed:

to understand what are the main philosophical options regarding the considered topics
to see what is at stake in each of those options
to master some conceptual technicalities

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

This course is aimed at students in Philosophy only. It is recommended to have followed the course: History of contemporary philosophy (PHIL0010-1, A. Dewalque).

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

Lectures based on a series of readings. Participants are required to have and read the related text(s) for the relevant sections of the course.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

First lesson: September 17, 2015. See http://cipl82.philo.ulg.ac.be/horaires

Recommended or required readings :

Set texts:
* Ch. Siewert, "In favor of (plain) phenomenology", Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences 6 (2007), p. 201-220.
* J. McDowell, "Non-conceptual content", dans Id., Mind and World, Cambridge (Mass.), Harvard University Press, 1996, p. 46-65 (Lecture III).
* A. Meinong, "The Theory of Objects", engl. trans. by R. Chisholm, in R. Chisholm (ed.), Realism and the Background of Phenomenology, Glencoe, Free Press, 1960; reprint: Atascadero, Ridgeview, 1981, § 1-9.
* M. Heidegger, Being and Time, engl. trans. by J. Macquarrie and E. Robinson, London, SCM Press, 1962, § 40-42; The fundamental Concepts of Metaphysics, engl. trans. by W. McNeil & N. Walker, Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 1995, § 34-38.
* T. Bayne, "The Phenomenology of Agency", Philosophy Compass 3/1 (2008), p. 182-202.
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.

Assessment methods and criteria :

Oral examination.

Work placement(s) :

Organizational remarks :

Contacts :

Arnaud Dewalque (Senior Lecturer) - a.dewalque@ulg.ac.be(-a.dewalque@ulg.ac.be Dpt of Philosophy 7, Place du 20-août, Building A1/2d floor B-4000 Liège Phone: 0032(4)366.55.93)