Questions regarding Philosophical Anthropology - 1st semester
Code
722031032
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
Filosofia
Credits
10
Teacher in charge
Mário Jorge Carvalho, Nuno Carlos Venturinha
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
Class A
What kind of book is Ta eis heauton? Why is it still worth reading? And what is it all about? How can Ariadnes thread help us find our way through its labyrinth? What is alive and what is dead in this book? And are M. Aurelius meditations of mere historical interest or can they help us deepen our understanding of what Philosophical Anthropology is all about?
Our task is to answer these questions, and to explore Ta eis heauton as a challenging book that puts us to the test we can also speak of a metaphorical mirror in which we can see ourselves reflected and discover blind spots (unsuspected features, unsuspected questions or unsuspected possibilities) in our own awareness of self and others.
Writing with his usual wit and acumen, Lichtenberg hits the mark when he speaks of new glimpses through the old holes (Neue Blicke durch die alten Löcher!). And this is what this seminar is all about.
Class B
Facts and Values
In his first work, the Tractatus, Wittgenstein makes a sharp distinction between the facts of the world, understood as what is the case, and the valuation that man attributes to them, be it of an aesthetical, ethical or religious nature. Objects and states of affairs are then seen within the framework of a fundamental anthropological relation, which culminates in a peculiar solipsistic-transcendental view of a linguistic character. The seminar aims to follow first the philosophical anthropology of the Tractarian period, examining next its maturation in Wittgenstein´s so-called «later» philosophy, where the distinction between fact and value gives room to a study of the multiplicity of the language games that characterize man. We shall concentrate on the aesthetical, ethical and religious games, which will allow us to access Wittgenstein´s idea of a «natural history of human beings» or of «human concepts».
Bibliography
A. S. L. FARQHARSON (ed.), The Meditations of the Emperor Marcus Antoninus, II, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1944.
H. SCHENKL (ed.), Marci Antonini Imperatoris in semet ipsum libri XII, Leipzig, Teubner, 1913.
I. H. LEOPOLD (ed.), Marcus Antoninus Imperator ad se ipsum, Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1908, 1948.
C. R. HAINES (ed.), The Communings with Himself of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, London/N.Y., W, Heinemann, G. P. Putnams, 1916, 1987.
Teaching method
This curricular unit has a theoretical-practical character.
Seminar-oriented classes.
Reading and interpretation of and commentary on Ta eis heauton. 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 Ta eis heauton (of its different components, of their connection both with each other and with the rest of the corpus stoicorum) b) a theoretical analysis of philosophical problems, and c) a discussion of alternative views, objections, counter-examples, etc.
Evaluation method
Class A
Appraisal: 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.
Class B
The method adopted for the class combines readings and commentaries of texts in seminar along with discussion of student papers.