Questions regarding Philosophical Anthropology
Code
722031032
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Filosofia
Credits
10
Teacher in charge
Mário Jorge Carvalho
Weekly hours
3 letivas + 1 tutorial
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
a) Acquire a high level of knowledge in the field of Philosophical Anthropology and in particular a detailed knowledge of the fundamental concepts and of the history of Philosophical Anthropology, of its methodological and doctrinal controversies and of its articulation with other branches of philosophy and science.
b) Acquire detailed knowledge of the fundamental texts in the field of Philosophical Anthropology, with a mastering of time-honoured interpretations and of the current state of research.
c) Acquire a high ability to analyse, compare, criticise and use anthropological concepts, and also to independently discuss problems and doctrinal views in the field of Philosophical Anthropology.
d) Acquire the ability to carry out research work under supervision in this field that meets high scientific quality standards.
e) Acquire the ability to carry out independent research in this area.
Prerequisites
Not applicable
Subject matter
The kaleidoscope of erôs in Plato’s Symposium
The Symposium offers a kaleidoscope of views on erôs. At first sight it may seem that it does nothing more than present a whimsical sequence of different approaches to rather specific questions from rather specific points of view. But on closer inspection it turns out that it has a much broader significance, for a) it is rather a kaleidoscope of views on human life viz. human nature b) these views play a very complex kind of “chess”, as it were, with one another, c) they have an exemplary character and can impel one to explore the labyrinth of views about life that is part and parcel of life itself (so that there is something kaleidoscopic about it), the result being that d) the Symposium is nothing short of a treasure trove of key anthropological questions
Our purpose is to explore this treasure trove and to follow the maze of questions, answers and new questions one has to deal with if one looks at oneself in the mirror of the Symposium.
Bibliography
Burnet, J. (Ed.) (1901). Platonis Opera, II. Oxford: Clarendon Pr.
Stallbaum, G. (Ed.) (1852). Platonis Symposium. Gothae: Hennings.
Rettig, G. F. (Ed.) (1876). Platons Symposion. Halle: Verl. der Buchh. des Waisenhauses.
Bury, R. G. (Ed.) (1909, 1932). The Symposium of Plato. Cambridge: Heffer & Sons.
Hug, A. & Schöne, (Ed.) (1909). Symposium. Leipzig & Berlin: Teubner.
Dover, K. (Ed.) (1982). Plato Symposium. Cambridge: CUP.
Rowe, C. J. (Ed.) (1998). Plato Symposium. Warminster: Aris & Philllips.
Nehamas, A. & Woodruff, P. (Ed.) (1989). Plato Symposium. Indianapolis: Hackett.
Benardete, S. (Ed.) (2001). Plato´s Symposium. Chicago: The Univ. of Chicago Pr.
Robin, L. (Ed.) (1929). Platon Le Banquet. Paris: Belles Lettres
Robin, L. &Vicaire, P. (Ed.) (1999). Platon Le Banquet. Paris: Belles Lettres
Galli, U. (Ed.) (1935). Platone, Il Simposio. Torino: Chiantore.
Luca, R. (Ed.) (1985).Platone Simposio. Firenze: La Nuova Italia
Susanetti, D. (Ed.) (1992). Platone Il Simposio. Venezia: Mar
Teaching method
This curricular unit has a theoretical-practical character.
Seminar-oriented classes.
Reading and interpretation of and commentary on Plato’s Symposium. Analysis and discussion both of interpretive (including syntactic and semantic) issues and related philosophical questions and concepts.
The teaching methodology combines: a) a thorough interpretation of Plato’s Symposium (of its different components, of their connection both with each other and with the rest of the corpus platonicum) b) a theoretical analysis of philosophical problems, and c) a discussion of alternative views, objections, counter-examples, etc.
Evaluation method
Individual appraisal. Each student will have to present a research paper (of about 20 pages) on a topic individually agreed upon with the Lecturer and then discuss this paper with the latter. This counts for 3/4 of final marks. Class participation (participation in the discussion) counts for 1/4 of final marks.