Between Literature and Philosophy

3 credits · Graduate

In this course, we consider the relations between philosophy and literature through the lens of several texts that seem to cross their respective discursive boundaries. In the words of philosopher Philippe Lacoue-Labarthe, philosophy has been defining itself against literature, insisting that it conveys truths that are absolute in nature and thus independent of its written medium. The theoretical texts we read in the course, by authors such as Plato, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Blanchot, de Man, Derrida, Cixous and Irrigaray, however, explore the texture of language and reveal philosophy's dependence on literary devices. On the other hand, we examine the texts that belong to the domain of literature yet engage in a philosophical reflection, such as Kafka’s parables, poetry by Waldrop and Celan, and novels by Michel Tournier and Jeanette Winterson. FORMATS: Seminar