Ger/Lit 364 The Idealist Revolution and Beyond

Thursday 6:10PM - 9:00PM

The life of the mind only attains its truth when discovering itself in absolute desolation. The mind is not this power as a positive which turns away from the negative, as when we say of something that it is null, or false, so much for that and now for something else; the mind is this power only when looking the negative in the face, dwelling upon it.
-G.W.F. Hegel

This course provides an introduction to German Idealist philosophy. Beginning with the three most influential thinkers in this tradition, Immanuel Kant, J.G. Fichte and G.W.F. Hegel, we will focus on the crucial role that theories of language and negation play in models of subjectivity. In the second part of the semester, we will consider several nineteenth- and twentieth-century critics who attempt to extend and critique this philosophical legacy.

There will be two in-class tests (approximately 75 minutes each) and one final paper of 6-8 pages. Since we meet only once a week, unexcused absences are strongly discouraged.

The following books are available in the bookstore:

Immanuel Kant, Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals
J. G. Fichte, Introductions to the Wissenschaftslehre and Other Writings
G.W.F. Hegel, Phenomenology of Spirit
Søren Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling, Repetition
Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil
Martin Heidegger, Basic Writings
Georges Bataille, Visions of Excess
Theodor W. Adorno, Critical Models
Jacques Derrida, Margins of Philosophy.

Editions of the following are available for students taking the class for German credit:

G.W.F. Hegel, Phänomenologie des Geistes
Immanuel Kant, Grundlegung zur Metaphysik der Sitten
J.G. Fichte, Über den Begriff der Wissenschaftslehre oder der sogenannten Philosophie.

Semester Plan

January 29
Introduction

February 5
Immanuel Kant, Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals

February 12
Groundwork continued

February 19
J. G. Fichte, Introductions to the Wissenschaftslehre and Other Writings

February 26
G.W.F. Hegel, Phenomenology of Spirit

March 4
Phenomenology continued

March 11
1st in-class test; Phenomenology continued

Spring Break

March 25
Søren Kierkegaard, Repetition

April 1
Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil

April 8
Nietzsche continued; Martin Heidegger, "On the Essence of Truth"

April 15
Georges Bataille, Visions of Excess

April 22
Jacques Derrida, Margins of Philosophy

April 29
T.W. Adorno, Critical Models

Final paper due Saturday, May 8 at 5PM