Universität Wien
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180116 SE Francis Bacon: an introductory seminar (2015W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Continuous assessment of course work

The course seeks to provide a comprehensible exposition of the thought of Francis Bacon, (1561-1626).

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 45 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

16.10. Welcome, Introduction, Literature, Schedule Recent trends: Pamela Smith in Renaissance Quarterly 62#2 (2009): 345-75
23.10. Between Law and politics, Bacon’s life and times: an introduction to the general historical background
30. 10. The Essays
6. 11. The Advancement of Learning I: Science, the art of eloquence and some inefficient ways of raising money
13. 11. The Advancement of Learning II: White spots on the map of human knowledge
20.11. Towards a doctrine of idols: Valerius Terminus and the Advancement of learning
27. 11. After the Fall, or: knowledge as power: The novum organon I
4.12. After the Fall, or: knowledge as power: The novum organon II
NO class on Dec. 11: as this is the preparatory week for the study day
18.12. Study Day 9 AM to 7 PM
8.1. 2016 Critical assessments: Bacon as a philosopher of science in later perspectives.

Please note: there will be no regular classes after Jän. 8, but you are welcome to contact me during my office hours (Friday 12 AM–1PM) on appointment on all issues regarding your papers (for instance, your choice of texts).

  • Friday 16.10. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 23.10. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 30.10. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 06.11. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 13.11. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 20.11. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 27.11. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 04.12. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 11.12. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 18.12. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 08.01. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 15.01. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 22.01. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 29.01. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course seeks to provide a comprehensible exposition of the thought of Francis Bacon, (1561-1626). By means of guided close readings of selected primary texts the seminar will provide an advanced introduction to the philosophical achievements of Francis Bacon, and his socio-political and intellectual environment; it will outline pre-modern conceptualizations of new epistemologies that were going in tandem with a re-assessment of the human emotional life. The focus on the changing intellectual culture of Early modern England will also touch the changing conditions of research.

Assessment and permitted materials

Certificates

Apart from actively participating in the discussions of selected primary texts, students will be required to give a short talk and to write a ten page essay in English. In their research, students will refer to the primary and secondary literature provided for the seminar as well as other scholarly literature; in their essay, they will demonstrate their capacity handle the usual methods of scholarly documentation as required in the style sheet issued by the department of philosophy at the University of Vienna .
Please note: in order to obtain a certificate for this seminar it is necessary to give a talk and to write a paper (which may be related to the talk but which will not merely be a summary of your presentation).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Enhance knowledge about and comprehension of a difficult and fascinating exponent of an epoch of transition during which modern science and philosophy was emerging. Exercise capacities of reading and understanding early modern primary sources in their original languages. Develop individual capacities for independent research and investigation and presentation of results in oral and written form.

Examination topics

The seminar will be held in English, accompanied by reading material from selected relevant primary sources and secondary literature at the student’s disposal in the library.
General introductions to the historical and intellectual backgrounds of the texts under consideration will go along with close readings of selected passages from Bacon’s works.

Reading list

Recommended minimal reading

Perez Zagorin, Francis Bacon, Princeton 1998 (Introduction)

Primary texts

The Advancement of Learning (1605)

I recommend buying the following (cheap but excellent!) editon:

Francis Bacon: The Major Works (Oxford World's Classics) ed. by Brian Vickers. Oxford: oxford university press. (favailable for 20 Euros, or less order ASAP!)

Association in the course directory

BA 5.3
BA M 15
BA M 09
MA 1

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:36