Existentialism

(2.5-5 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

SY - University of Sydney Description: This unit examines a major movement in 19th and 20th century European philosophy, with a focus on key questions and figures from the movement. Topics to be considered include: the possibility of morality after the death of God, meaning in human life, the self, freedom, finitude, and historicity. The unit develops these topics in communication with early modern and modern discussions on the role of feelings, passions, and lived experience in processes of self-constitution and the shaping of interpersonal relationships. Prior description: This course is an introduction to the main themes of (predominantly German and French) existentialism, retracing its phenomenological sources of inspiration. Phenomenological analysis is introduced in its various facets, from Husserl and Heidegger and Arendt. The issues of finitude, appearance, responsibility, political engagement, freedom, decision, alienation, absurdity, crisis, action, and emotions are explored. A special emphasis is placed on the relevance of these problems to present life.