2020-2021 / PHIL0001-1

Critical analysis of a philosophical work II

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in philosophy (120 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Olivier Dubouclez

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Critical analysis of: Jacques Derrida, "Cogito et histoire de la folie".
The course will propose a study of a famous article by Jacques Derrida, "Cogito et histoire de la folie" which dates from 1963 and was republished in 1967 in L'Ecriture et la difference. If this article is famous  because of a lively debate with Michel Foucault's Histoire de la folie, Derrida putting in question Foucault's interpretation of a passage from the First Meditation devoted to madness ("Mais quoi? ce sont des fous ... "). The course will consider this controversy but will also concentrate on the meaning of the cogito as "silent madness" proposed by Derrida and situate it in the debates on the meaning of self-consciousness. How can the cogito be mad? How can it be silent? Does it mean pure presence to oneself? On the contrary, is it linked to a linguistic formulation? Will Derrida not criticize the Husserlian "living present" and pure thought in La Voix et le Phénomène?

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

To be able to analyze a contemporary philosophical text and to put it into perspective within the history of philosphy.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Bonne connaissance préalable de l'histoire de la philosophie moderne et contemporaine.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

The course will take place on Thursday 13:00-15:00.

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

xxx

Recommended or required readings

Bibliography
Main work :
J. Derrida, « Cogito et histoire de la folie », in L'Ecriture et la Différence, Paris, Seuil, 1967, p. 51-97.

Complementary works:
J. Derrida, La Voix et le Phénomène, Paris, PUF, 1967.
- "Violence et métaphysique. Essai sur la pensée d'Emmanuel Levinas", in L'Ecriture et la Différence, p. 117-228.
M. Foucault, Histoire de la folie à l'âge classique, Paris, Gallimard, 1972.
- « Mon corps, ce papier, ce feu » (1972), in Dits et Ecrits, I, Paris, Gallimard, 1994, p. 1113-1136.

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )

- Remote

written exam AND written work

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

xxx

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

olivier.dubouclez@ulg.ac.be
Département de Philosophie Place du 20 Août, 7, 4000 Liège
Tél 04 366 56 56, Fax : 04 366 55 59