For 4/1: Friedrich Nietzsche

If 19th Century philosophy takes its cue from Hegel, 20th Century philosophy begins with Nietzsche. Ever the historian, Nietzsche tears into the Platonic/Christian tradition, clearing the way for a new vision of humanity. Nietzsche declares the death of God, calls for a new form of morality, and asserts the individual's will to power. Western philosophy takes an important turn with Nietzsche, a turn which he - no doubt - would say is for the better.

From 3/25: "Waking Life"

Taking its lead from Descartes' musings about the distinction between dreams and waking life, Richard Linklater's film explores many of the ideas, debates, theories, and imaginings that pervade modern philosophy. What was your impression of the film? Was there a particular scene or conversation that stood out for you more than any other? What does the film say about the human experience, both in general and perhaps in particular? Perhaps the dream world has more to offer than our waking lives are willing to admit!

For 3/25: Soren Kierkegaard

Not unlike Marx, much of Kierkegaard's philosophy is born in Hegel and yet is marked by a decisive departure. Whereas Marx believes that Hegel downplays the role of our material circumstances, Kierkegaard believes that the individual human subject gets lost within Hegel's grand idea. This, for many, makes Kierkegaard the father of existentialism as each of us must wrestle with our own existence and all which that existence implies. Questions of mortality, dread, embodied existence, and faith are therefore inseparable from philosophical inquiry. Rather than marginalizing these topics, Kierkegaard meets them head-on.

From 3/18: Marching Through History

Does history matter when it comes to philosophy? In what sense is human consciousness historical? Though Hegel and Marx don't see eye-to-eye on many things, they both view history as a necessary progression toward some ultimate goal. Whereas history, for Hegel, culminates in Absolute Spirit as the full expression of human self-consciousness, Marx asserts that there will be one final revolution whereby the working class proletariat will overthrow the capitalist bourgeoisie. Are either of them correct? Did communism fail or has the final revolution not yet happened? Do you think Marx's critique of capitalism holds any weight? Perhaps AIG gives us pause to think!

For 3/18: Hegel and Marx

Whereas Hegel begins where Kant leaves off, Marx does much the same with Hegel. In essence, Hegel believes that Kantian idealism needs a push, as reason has the ability to transcend and thereby resolve the seeming contradications which it gets itself into. For Hegel, human consciousness is historical, meaning it constitutes itself differently at different times in human history, only to culminate in some absolute understanding. The time and nature of this culmination becomes an issue for Marx, who - by turning Hegel on his head - interprets history materially rather than ideally in arguing for the necessity of one final revolution: the rise of the working classes and the fall of the capitalist state.

From 3/4: Critiquing "Pure" Reason

In finishing up Kant's Prolegomena, we considered the assorted conundrums which reason gets itself into when speculating about things outside of our experience. Whether it be the indentity of the self, the beginning and subsequent expansion of the universe, or the existence of God, pure reason proves quite capable of backing itself up into an idealogical corner. So does Kant prove successful in saving reason from itself here? Where do you see him as agreeing or disagreeing with Hume when it comes to metaphysical speculation? Any further thoughts on the antinomies? Critique away!

For 3/4: Kant's Prolegomena, Third Part

Having established the possibilty of mathematics and natural science, Kant goes on to discuss metaphysics in the third part of the Prolegomena. Here we encounter many traditional metaphysical questions: Does the universe have a beginning in time? Is the universe bound by space? Can free will be reconciled with the natural laws of science? Is there one being in the universe (namely God) who necessarily exists? Here's our chance to puzzle along with Kant on these questions and to consider whether they're worth asking at all.