Study Programmes 2016-2017
PHIL0080-1  
In-depth questions about metaphysics
Duration :
30h Th
Number of credits :
Master in philosophy (120 ECTS)6
Lecturer :
Olivier Dubouclez
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
Learning unit contents :
The course will bear on the concept of immortality, underlining its relationship to the notion of life and putting into question the causes of the desire to become immortal. Starting from contemporary expressions of that desire, we will study the three main forms of immortality in the history of philosophy: namely immortality as subsistance of the soul, immortality as participation to the human work, immortality as vestige or trace.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
At the end of this course, students will be have a firm knowledge of the historical evolution of the concept of immortality and will also be able to identify and analyze non-theological forms of immortality, especially in the field of art.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face. Thursday 15:00-17:00
Recommended or required readings :
Works studied in class:
- H. Arendt, Condition de l'homme moderne, Pocket, 1983.
- W. Benjamin, « Le Conteur » in Œuvres, III, Gallimard, folio, p. 114-151.
- R. Descartes, Méditations métaphysiques, éd. M. et J.-M. Beyssade, GF.
- E. Kant, Critique de la raison pratique, trad. A. Renaut, GF.
- Platon, Le Banquet, trad. Brisson, GF.
- Thomas d'Aquin, Quæstiones disputatæ de anima, q. 14.
- J.-P. Vernant, La Mort héroïque chez les Grecs, Pleins feux, 2001.
 
Additionnal readings :
- J. L. Borges, « L'immortel », dans L'Aleph, Paris, Gallimard.
 - M. Houellebecq, La Possibilité d'une île, Livre de poche.
- M. Kundera, L'Immortalité, Gallimard ou Folio.
Assessment methods and criteria :
Essay on the theme of immortality (around 20 000-25 000 characters) dealing with an author or a question to be discussed with the teacher.
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Contacts :
olivier.dubouclez@ulg.ac.be