Duration
45h Pr
Number of credits
| Bachelor in philosophy | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Substitute(s)
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The course is made up of two independent parts, one of which is taught by C. Tresnie and the other one by A. Dewalque.
PARTIM TRESNIE
History of philosophy is not only a content, but also an activity, which can be improved through practice. That will be the aim of this course. It will focus on texts from the philosophical tradition. These texts may serve various functions: to inspire, to legitimate, to act as a foil or to generate new questions. They may take the role of an ill-understood precedent, a mistake to correct or a necessary step to overcome. Such roles rest on specific practices of reading and interpretation. Students will benefit from being able to identify and criticize them, in order for them to understand and aptly mobilize historical narratives.
We will focus on a classical text (Plato's Meno). We will compare its various interpretations, from different times, genres, and writing contexts. For instance, students will have the opportunity to discuss medieval debates on Inneism, Neokantian use of the theory of Recollection, or XXth century analyses of the "learning paradox". All of these will offer an overview of at least some possible readings of the Meno.
PARTIM DEWALQUE
Although philosophy does not have a formal method of proof, philosophers who want to argue for (or against) a definite thesis typically employ a few tools and strategies, which are part of what is sometimes called "the philosophical method." This part of the course aims to introduce participants to, and make them more familiar with, five methodological tools: (1) the use of common sense, (2) philosophical dispute, (3) conceptual analysis and the clarifying of terms, (4) thought experiments and the role of intuition, and (5) history of philosophy. Each of these tools is illustrated by means of classical examples, which are discussed in class.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
PARTIM TRESNIE
In this part of the course, students will acquire a good knowledge of the Meno and its reception. In so doing, they will become able to discriminate between a textual content and its explicit and implicit interpretations, as well as their motives. Students will present and critically discuss these in at least one oral presentation and one written essay. They will acquire habits useful for the analysis of philosophical texts and their reception.
PARTIM DEWALQUE
This part of the course should put the students in a position to
- recognize various argumentative strategies that are commonly employed in philosophy.
- identify and reconstruct the various relevant elements of a philosophical text (topic, thesis, argument in the 'primise-conclusion' form, examples, etc.).
- present and briefly comment on one of the short textual materials studied during the classes.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
PARTIM TRESNIE
For the course of this year, a general understanding of Plato's philosophy (such as what is covered in the PHIL0009-1 course, with its textbook) is expected.
A good command of French is required. A reading knowledge of English is strongly recommanded, as some mandatory texts will be in English. A basic knowledge of German, Latin and Greek will be useful, although not required.
PARTIM DEWALQUE
Reading knowledge in English is required.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
PARTIM TRESNIE
The course is planned around three stages:
- An introduction made of lectures (student participation is welcome) on the Meno and its reception.
- Sessions dedicated to specific texts, focused on one or more passages of the Meno. Each student will choose of those texts and give an oral presentation about it. The text will then be discussed with the class. Everyone is expected to have read it beforehand.
- In parallel, each student will write an essay putting into practice, for their chosen text, the method used in the course. They will submit a draft by a deadline set during the first lesson. This will allow them to receive feedback, and then to submit a final version, which will be scored. Please note that a personal feedback may not be possible during the summer; students are advised to submit their work on time during the semester.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Additional information:
The default teaching mode is face-to-face. However, depending on the sanitary satuation, part or totality of the course may be taught online.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
- MyULiège
Further information:
PARTIM TRESNIE
- The main part of the course involves Plato's Meno and its interpretations. In order to participate in the course, students are expected to have read this dialogue early in the semester. The French translation of M. Canto-Sperber (Paris, Garnier-Flammarion, 1999) is affordable and easy to find, but other editions are also welcome.
- Most sessions will focus on the discussion of one or more texts. These texts must have been read by everyone so that the collective discussion may be fruitful.
- A list of recommended readings will be available for each text. It is mainly meant for the student preparing their presentation and essay on the relevant text, but everyone may naturally benefit from reading those texts.
PARTIM DEWALQUE
Five short textual materials (see references in the syllabus, which can be downloaded below) are made available to the participants and will be discussed in class. This is compulsory reading. Students are expected to read each material before the corresponding session (see schedule). Besides, students who wish to prepare for the sessions or simply go further are strongly encouraged to refer to:
Timothy Williamson, Philosophical Method. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford, OUP, 2020.
On academic writing and related conventions, see A. Dewalque, Méthodologie philosophique. Un bref guide, ULiège (PDF available on line, see "course materials").
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam
Continuous assessment
Further information:
PARTIM TRESNIE
The examination will take the form of a personal written essay about one of the proposed texts, selected early in the semester. The essay is due for a deadline communicated during the first lesson. It is meant to be the continuation of an oral presentation and a later, written draft during the semester. These two exercises are not directly graded (only the final essay is scored), but must be done on time for the final essay to be fully acceptable. The active participation during the lessons is required.
Remark: students are free to use any tool of research and writing they deem necessary. They are also responsible for the accuracy of the information (to duly reference) contained in their essays, as well as the logical soundness of their arguments. For this reason, the intensive use of generative tools (e.g.: chatbots) is not recommended. It often requires an excessive workload on the student's part in order for the essay to be truly personal and rigorous.
PARTIM DEWALQUE
As per the study regulations, attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions. This includes:
- activitely participating in the sessions
- doing the required reading (if any) before each session
- understanding and good command of the relevant textual material
- clarity and formal quality of the presentation
- compliance with the abovementioned instructions
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
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Contacts
Teachers:
Corentin Tresnie
Département de philosophie
Place du XX Août, 7 (bât. A1, 2e étage)
4000 Liège
corentin.tresnie@uliege.be
Arnaud Dewalque
Département de philosophie
Place du XX Août, 7 (bât. A1, 2e étage)
4000 Liège
Secretary:
Delphine Vanneste
Tél. +32 4 366 55 99