Ontology - 1st semester
Code
711031064
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Filosofia
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Mário Jorge Carvalho
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
Acquire a basic ability to:
a) understand the meaning and specificity of Ontology as a major component of philosophical tradition and a field of current research;
b) understand the position of Ontology as the sought after science (zêtoumenê epistêmê);
c) understand the articulation between Ontology and the other branches of philosophy;
d) understand the articulation between Ontology and the different branches of science;
e) understand the various approaches that have been taken in trying to provide an answer to ontological questions and to reach the missing knowledge;
f) understand the problem of a possible failure of the constitution of ontology as a science, as well as the difficulty of the reasons for such failure, its meaning and its consequences;
g) understand the most important ontological concepts;
h) understand, compare and use these concepts critically and independently;
i) independently interpret and discuss doctrinal views in the field of Ontology
Prerequisites
Not applicable
Subject matter
The question of the sought-after science
How does pre-scientific everyday consciousness leave room for the pursuit of missing knowledge and notably for the pursuit of knowledge in scientific disciplines? And how do scientific disciplines in turn leave room for the pursuit of something beyond them and notably for the pursuit of universal knowledge of reality? How is there any room for Ontology as a sought-after science (zêtoumenê episteme)? And what is Ontology about?
The purpose of this course is to discuss these issues.
The analysis is based on two major components of the corpus aristotelicum, namely Metaphysics I and IV.
Bibliography
Aristotles Metaphysics, ed. W. D. Ross. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1924, 2 vols.
Aristotle in Twenty Three Volumes. Cambridge (Mass.)/London, Harvard University Press/W. Heinemann (Loeb Classical Library), suc. reed.
Métaphysique, ed. J. Tricot, Paris, 1966, 2 vols. suc. reed.
La Metafisica, ed. G. Reale. Napoli, Loffredo, 1968, 2 vols.
Metafísica, ed. T.C. Martínez. Madrid, Gredos, 1994, Barcelona, RBA, 2000
Uma bibliografia mais completa será fornecida no início do curso
Teaching method
This curricular unit has a theoretical-practical character.
The teaching methodology combines:
a) the theoretical analysis of philosophical problems and concepts
b) a thorough interpretation of the philosophical texts in question (with special emphasis both on their connection with the problems and concepts under discussion, and on interpretive issues, etc.)
and
c) the discussion of alternative views, objections, counter-examples, etc.
This curricular unit is designed to give participants the experience of working, as it were, in the laboratory of philosophical thought. Particular emphasis is also put on the discussion of questions, objections, related issues, etc. during office hours.
Evaluation method
Individual evaluation. Obligatory written exam (2/3). Each student will have to present a written work on an approved topic and discuss it with the lecturer (1/3).