Fall 2009
19th Century Philosophy
PHIL 208
Instructor: Eric Lambert Location: Dewey 305
Email: elambert@kzoo.edu Times: 12:40-2:30 pm
Office: HH 202 Office hrs: TBA
Texts
German Philosophy 1760-1860: The Legacy of Idealism, Terry Pinkard
On the Aesthetic Education of Man: In a Series of Letters, Friedrich Schiller, trans.
Elizabeth M. Wilkinson and L. A. Willoughby
Hegel’s the Philosophy of Right, G. W. F. Hegel, trans. Alan White
The Marx-Engels Reader, 2nd ed., edited by Robert C. Tucker
Utilitarianism and On Liberty, John Stuart Mill, edited by Mary Warnock
Course description
In Philosophy 208, students will become conversant with prominent thinkers and philosophical concepts and themes from 19th century philosophy. We will focus on concerns emerging from social-political philosophy, which stem centrally from preoccupations with reason and freedom and include related conceptions of autonomy and agency, ethical self-determination, the link of self (concrete individuality) and society (i.e., intersubjectivity), and responsibility and education. Existentialism is an important strand of 19th century thought. But because many existentialist themes are anticipated in post-Kantian thought, we will end the course, not with Kierkegaard or Nietzsche, but with two influential works by the utilitarian and liberal theorist. John Stuart Mill. Throughout the quarter, then, we will examine how Kant, Schiller, Hegel, Marx, and Mill think about the role of reason and freedom, desire and imagination, and, finally, the complex of social relations and practical skills operative in the formation of concrete individuality (i.e., selfhood).
Grading
All grades will be on a 4.0 scale (4.0, 3.7, 3.5, etc.). Assignments and weights for each assignment are as follows:
30% final paper (10-12 pp.)
15% two short paper assignments, 7.5% each (2-3 pp.)
40% two essay assignments, 20% each (4-6 pp.)
15% participation
Attendance
Attendance is required. Since there are only ten weeks per quarter, each class session is important. Thus three or more unexcused absences will result in 0.5 points being immediately subtracted from a student’s final grade (so if your final grade is 2.75 and you have three unexcused absences, you will receive a 2.25). Lateness should also be avoided. Since tardiness is (usually very) disruptive, excessive lateness (two or more times arriving late) will result in one unexcused absence.
Late papers/make up exams
Unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor, late papers will be marked down 0.25 points each day the paper is late. Late papers will not be penalized only if prior arrangements are made, appropriate documentation is provided, and the reasons comply with Kalamazoo College policy.
Academic Integrity
Per the Kalamazoo College Honor System: “The term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.” Simply put, do not plagiarize. If you are not sure what plagiarism consists of, talk to me. Plagiarized work will result – at minimum – in a failing grade for that assignment or exam, and possibly in a failing grade for the course.
Schedule of readings
Week 1
Tues, Sep 22: Introduction
Thurs, Sep 24: Kant, “What is Enlightenment?” (handout)
Pinkard, “Introduction: ‘Germany’ and German Philosophy” (pp. 1-15)
Week 2
Tues, Sep 29: Pinkard, “The revolution in philosophy (I): human spontaneity and the
natural order”
“The revolution in philosophy (II): autonomy and the moral
order” (pp. 19-61)
Thurs, Oct 1: Pinkard, “The revolution in philosophy (III): aesthetic taste, teleology, and
the world order”
“Introduction: idealism and the reality of the French Revolution”
(pp. 66-85)
Week 3
Tues, Oct 6: Schiller, Letters 1-12
Thurs, Oct 8: Schiller, Letters 13-27
Week 4
Tues, Oct 13: Pinkard, “The 1790s: Fichte” (pp. 105-130)
“Introduction: post-revolutionary Germany” (pp. 214-216)
“Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit: post-Kantianism in a new
vein” (pp. 224-242)
Thurs, Oct 15: Pinkard, “Nature and spirit: Hegel’s system” (pp. 275-294)
Hegel, Philosophy of Right, “Preface” (pp. 1-10)
Week 5
Tues, Oct 20: Hegel’s Philosophy of Right (pp. 11-88)
Thurs, Oct 22: Hegel’s Philosophy of Right (pp. 88-125)
Week 6
Tues, Oct 27: Hegel’s Philosophy of Right (pp. 125-188)
Thurs, Oct 29: Hegel’s Philosophy of Right (pp. 188-249)
Week 7
Tues, Nov 3: Marx, “On the Jewish Question” (pp. 26-46)
“1844 Manuscripts” (pp. 70-81 and 93-101)
“Marx on the History of His Opinions” (pp. 3-6)
Thurs, Nov 5: Marx, “Capital, volume 1” (pp. 302-329)
“Critique of the Gotha Program” (pp. 525-532)
Week 8
Tues, Nov 10: Marx, “The German Ideology” (pp. 147-175)
Thurs, Nov 12: Marx, “The German Ideology” (pp. 176-200)
Week 9
Tues, Nov 17: J. S. Mill, “On Liberty” (pp. 88-130)
Thurs, Nov 19: J. S. Mill, “On Liberty” (pp. 131-162)
Week 10
Tues, Nov 24: J. S. Mill, “Utilitarianism” (pp. 185-235)
Due dates for papers:
September 29, the first short paper (2-3 pp.) is due.
October 6, the second short paper (2-3 pp.) is due.
November 3, the first mid-length essay (4-6 pp.) is due.
November 17, the second mid-length essay (4-6 pp.) is due.
Note: The final paper will be due Thursday, December 3. Students are to deliver the final paper
to Humphrey House 202, no later than 4:00 pm.