From 4/7: The Nothing

Heidegger's questioning of metaphysics focuses both on the uniqueness of human Dasein as well as the very essence of philosophical thinking. We are the beings who raise the question of Being, making philosophical inquiry an important part of who we are. So what is metaphysics afterall? What is the place of philosophy in an age dominated by modern science and technology? Though answers here don't come easy, we must nevertheless persist in our questioning.

For 4/7: Martin Heidegger

Heidegger's work may be best described as a combination of phenomenology and existentialism. The question of Being, for Heidegger, is the most fundamental of all philosophical questions, yet one which can only be raised from within the individual subject. For Heidegger, human beings are the beings for which Being is an issue. His use of the word "Dasein" is meant to capture the uniqueness of this human experience. In "What is Metaphysics?," the question of Being (or Nothing) is front and center, as Heidegger tries to carve out a place for philosophy particularly within an age dominated by the natural sciences. Whether he succeeds, you decide!

From 4/1: The Existentialists

Though Kierkegaard and Nietzsche certainly differ when it comes to questions about God and Christianity, they both fight against what we might generally call inauthenticity. Both call for us to choose our own lives, to embrace our existence, and to take reponsibility for our own individual choices. We can do no worse than to fall in line with the herd or the mob, the source of untruth for Kierkegaard and nihilism for Nietzsche. So what do we make of this turn towards the individual in Western philosophy? Is existentialism something we are willing to embrace or are there certain aspects of it that we might find troubling?

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!