"SEMINAR IN CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS"

3:00-4:50

Wednesday

402GH

Schroeder

Much has been said about the differences between the Anglo-American and the Continental Approaches to philosophical issues.  In this seminar we will actually study the contrast between these two approaches using some of the best materials available on the topics of intersubjectivity and other minds.  We will discover that the issues have very different formulations within each tradition as well as between them, and thus examination of the issues is conditioned by the basic presuppositions controlling the inquiry.  Some of the philosophers we will examine include: Hegel, Scheler, Heidegger, Sartre, Merleau-Ponty, Wittgenstein, Austin, and Cavell.  Other more recent Anglo-American figures may be added.  The basic pattern of the seminar will include two weeks on a particular figure.  In the first week, I will provide background and expository presentations on the figure, and questions will be explored on the philosopher's basic stance and positions.  In the second week, students will give critical presentations on the figure for discussion by the seminar.  Some figures may only get a one-week treatment, e.g., Merleau-Ponty and Austin.

This topic has been in a kind of eclipse on the Anglo-American scene, but recently shows some signs of rejuvenation.  In contrast, it has been among the dominant topics in Continental philosophy recently; this seminar can be seen as providing background for exploring those more recent discussions, which we will probably not have time to pursue (e.g., Levinas, French Feminism).

In addition to the presentations, one main paper will be required.  This need not be related to the presentations, and it may explore figures not treated directly in the course as long as the instructor approves the paper proposal.