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 deep understanding of the meaning and specific characteristics of Ontology as the sought after science (zêtoumenê epistêmê) and of its interlinking with the other branches of philosophy and science
b) Acquire a deep understanding of the various approaches that have been taken in trying to provide an answer to ontological questions
c) Acquire detailed knowledge of a wide range of ontological concepts
d) Acquire increased proficiency in understanding, comparing and using these concepts critically and independently, and in interpreting and discussing ontological claims and questions
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
Kant and the question of metaphysics.
Contrary to a widespread view, Kant does not understand metaphysics only as an alleged branch of philosophical knowledge (i. e. as metaphysica artificialis). In his view, there is what he calls metaphysica naturalis viz. Metaphysik als Naturanlage: even if we are not aware of it, metaphysics is an essential (permanent, unavoidable and all-pervasive) component of our being. And so much so that, as he puts it in the Prolegomena, the end of metaphysics “is just as little to be expected, as that we would someday gladly stop all breathing so as never to take in impure air”.
But then the questions are: What is metaphysics? What is metaphysica naturalis? What is metaphysica artificialis? How are they related to each other? On what ground does Kant claim that there is any such thing as metaphysica naturalis (unavoidable metaphysics)? And what becomes of metaphysics (i.e. both of metaphysica artificialis and of metaphysica naturalis) in Kant’s critique?
Bibliography
Kant, I. (1900-). Gesammelte Schriften, ed. Preußische Akademie der Wissenschaften. Berlin: Reimer, reed. Berlin: de Gruyter.
Kant, I. (1968-1977). Kants Werke, Akademie-Textausgabe. Berlin: de Gruyter.
Kant, I. (1983). Werke, ed. W. Weischedel. Frankfurt a. M./Darmstadt: Insel-Suhrkamp /Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft,
Kant, I. (2017). Kant im Kontext III: Werke, Briefwechsel, Nachlass und Vorlesungen auf CD-ROM. Komplettausgabe. Karsten Worm InfoSoftWare, (4. erw. Aufl).
Kant, I. (1993-). The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Immanuel Kant, ed. P. Gruyter, A. W. Wood. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Kant, I. (1980-1986). Œuvres philosophiques (Bibliothèque de la Pléiade). Paris: Gallimard.
Teaching method
This curricular unit has a theoretical-practical character.
Seminar-oriented classes.
Reading and interpretation of and commentary on Plato’s Theaetetus. 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 Theaetetus (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
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.