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.
The following authors will be read and examined in part:
(on reserve in the library and online when possible)
Hannah Arendt, Origins of totalitarianism
Martin Heidegger, Being and Time / On the Way to Language
Karl Jaspers, Philosophy of existence
Soren Kierkegaard, Either-Or
Georg Lukacs, Soul and Forms
Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Phenomenology of Perception /Visible and invisible
Friedrich Nietzsche, Gay Science /Genealogy of Morals
Charles Sanders Peirce, On phenomenology (lecture by Ivo ibri)
Jean Paul Sartre, Essays in existentialism
REFERENCE FILMS:
Luis Bunuel Charme discret de la Bourgeoisie
Andrej Zvyagintsev The return