Existential Philosophy (PHIL 224.001)

This course offers an introduction to the thought of Husserl and Heidegger by means of addressing the philosophical question of Otherness/Intersubjectivity. The Phenomenology of Intersubjectivity constitutes a great moment in the philosophy of 20th century for, in some two thousand pages of manuscripts, Husserl attempts to criticize and amend the thesis he argued for in his Cartesian Meditations. It is telling that Heidegger’s own analysis of Otherness in Being and Time (§ 26), which will be read as a step-by-step reply to Husserl’s Cartesian Meditations, is sometimes in strict continuity with the Husserl of the Manuscripts. The course combines close reading of the texts with a critical evaluation of the phenomenological view on the question of Otherness.

The weekly readings will consist of passages from Husserl’s works (his manuscripts included), as well as from Heidegger’s and Merleau-Ponty’s main works. Grading will be via mid-term papers and in-class final exam.

Please note: Some seats in this class have been reserved for Philosophy majors.

This course satisfies the PH and NA general education requirements.

Pavlos Kontos’s webpage