Questions regarding Ontology - 2nd semester
Code
722031054
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 strong ability to understand the meaning and specific characteristics of ontology as the sought after science (zêtoumenê epistêmê) and its interlinking with the other branches of philosophy and science.
b) Acquire a strong ability to understand the various approaches that have been taken in trying to provide an answer to ontological questions
c) Acquire a detailed knowledge of a wide range of ontological concepts
d) Acquire a strong ability to understand, compare and use these concepts critically and independently, and to interpret and discuss problems and doctrinal views in the Ontology field
e) Acquire detailed knowledge of the fundamental texts in this field, with a mastering of past interpretations, of the current state of research and of all the relevant bibliography
f) Acquire the ability to carry out research work under supervision in this field that meets high scientific quality standards.
g) Acquire the ability to carry out independent research in this area.
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
Philosophical Questions on the hou heneka
Plato, Hegel, and Heidegger.
The hou heneka is a very particular kind of thing (viz. of not-nothing). But the question is: What kind of thing is it? How does it differ from (and relate to) other kinds of reality? What role does it play? What problems does it raise?
These questions are intimately linked to other crucial ontological questions.
Our purpose is to study three milestones in this domain: Platos discussion of the hou heneka question, Hegels analysis of Zweckmässigkeit in the Wissenschaft der Logik and Heideggers Daseinsanalytik of the Worumwillen.
Bibliography
BURNET, J. (ed.), Platonis Opera, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1900-1906, sucess. reed.
HEGEL, Werke, Frankfurt am Main, Suhrkamp, 1986, sucess. reed.
HEGEL, Wissenschaft der Logik, Hamburg, Meiner, 1999/2003 (2., verb. Aufl.)
HEGEL, The Science of Logic, Transl. and ed. by George Di Giovanni, Cambridge/ NY, Cambridge University Press, 2010
HEIDEGGER, M., Gesamtausgabe, Frankfurt am Main, Klostermann, 1976-
Uma bibliografia mais completa será fornecida no início do curso.
Teaching method
This curricular unit has a theoretical-practical character.
Seminar-oriented classes.
Philosophical analysis of what confusio is all about. Reading and interpretation of relevant philosophical texts. Analysis and discussion of interpretive issues and related philosophical questions and concepts.
The teaching methodology combines: a) a thorough interpretation of the philosophical texts in question 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.