Introduction to contemporary philosophy

Duration

30h Th, 15h Pr

Number of credits

Lecturer

Arnaud Dewalque

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Topic: Illusion, Appearance and Reality.
This introductory course (30h Th) offers an overview of the major philosophical currents from 1900 to the present day, namely (i) analytic philosophy, (ii) phenomenology, (iii) analytic metaphysics and philosophy of mind. Focusing on the notion of analysis, we'll challenge the usual presentation of these currents, which have been often described as monolithic and competing traditions. By contrast to this common picture we'll see how they embody different and often complementary ways of engaging into philosophical analysis.
Questions at issue will include the following: Does sense-perception provide us with an acquaintance with reality? How are we to describe the relation between reality and appearence? What difference is there between perceiving, dreaming, and hallucinating? Can sense-perception justify our beliefs about the external world, and if so, how? What is the relation between what we perceive and the words we use to describe it? In virtue of what is sense-perception distinct from other mental states (thinking, imagining, etc.)? Granted that we perceive what really is, what are the ingredients of reality? What type of "entities" are there in the world? And what's the place of mind in reality?
For students enrolled in Philosophy, theoretical classes are supplemented with training classes (15h Pr), which are devoted to the guided reading of a philosophical book related to the course content.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

General objectives:

• to provide an introductory overview of contemporary theoretical philosophy.
• to clarify a certain number of key concepts prior to a more in-depth study of contemporary philosophy (cf. course given during the 2nd and 3rd Bachelors in Philosophy: "History of contemporary philosophy" and "Contemporary philosophical texts").
• to raise students' awareness of the classic philosophical problems concerning our perceptual relationship to the world and the alternatives of idealism and realism.

• place authors studied during class into their contemporary philosophical setting.
• explain the meaning of concepts used.
• clearly explain, using examples, the arguments in favour of a particular philosophical position covered in class.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

None.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is made up of two parts, a theoretical part (30h) and a practical part (15h).
Students enrolled in Modern Languages and Information and Communication are exempted from the obligation to follow the practical part.
Part 1 - theory (all students): Lectures with powerpoint presentation. Each lesson is based on some quotations of classical philosophical texts which will be made available to the listeners both in original language and in french translation.
Part 2 - practice (students enrolled in Philosophy): Guided reading and discussion of the book by John Austin, Sense and Sensibilia.

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

First term. Face-to-face is the default teaching mode. In case the course could not take place on site, we will switch to remote teaching mode via eCampus:
- virtual classroom (Collaborate OR Lifesize)
- forum for Q&A

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

Online classes: see above. To access the virtual classroom (Collaborate), please go on eCampus => course => classe virtuelle => salle de classe.
Exam:
- practical part (philosophy students only): the written exam will be replaced with a short paper to be handed in during the exam session.
- theoretical part (all students): oral exam to be held online.

Recommended or required readings

PART 1 - theory (all students)
A bundle with excerpts from classical philosophical texts will be made available at the beginning of the course. Moreover, the set book is:

• Thomas Nagel, What Does It All Mean? A Very Short Introduction to Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1987.

• John austin, Sense and Sensibilia, G. J. Warnock ed., Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1962 (French translation: Le Langage de la perception, trad. fr. P. Gochet, revue par B. Ambroise, Paris, Vrin, 2007).

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

oral exam

- Remote

oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

PART 1 (all students):

• Oral exam with a short preparation time.

• mastering of the course content
• clarity of the presentation
• ability to restitute and/or comment on a chapter of the set book.

• Written exam

• clarity and logical articulation of ideas
• language quality (correct spelling, syntax, style)
• relevance of the proposed explanation

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Students enrolled in Modern Languages, Communication, etc., are most welcome. Extracts of philosophical texts will be made available both in original language (English and German) and in french translation.

Contacts

Prof. Arnaud Dewalque Department of Philosophy 7, place du 20-août, Building A1/2nd floor B-4000 Liège Phone 0032 (4) 366 55 92

Items online