Universität Wien

180456 SE Devastating Tropes and Deceiving Senses - Scepticism in the Early Modern Period (SE) (2008S)

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

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

  • Friday 14.03. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 21.03. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 28.03. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 04.04. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 11.04. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 18.04. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 25.04. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 02.05. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 09.05. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 16.05. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 23.05. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 30.05. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 06.06. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 13.06. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 20.06. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock
  • Friday 27.06. 14:00 - 16:00 Hörsaal 3E NIG 3.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course seeks to provide a comprehensible exposition of philosophical Scepticism in European Renaissance thought. The seminar will give a concise introduction to the philosophical positions of Sextus Empiricus, who wrote the most systematic treatment of ancient scepticism. We will then read and discuss selected passages from the followers of Sextus in the Sixteenth Century, such as Gianfrancesco Pico della Mirandola, Francisco Sanchez and Michel de Montaigne. In the seminar we will also look at the socio-political and intellectual environment and outline pre-modern conceptualisations of new epistemologies; thereby, the course envisions a critical re-examination of the traditional canon in the history of philosophy. The focus on the changing intellectual culture of Early Modern Europe will also touch the conditions of research.

Didaktik
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.

Assessment and permitted materials

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Examination topics

Reading list

Recommeded basic reading

Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Pyrrhonism (available in various English translations)
Popkin, Richard R.: The history of Scepticism from Erasmus to Spinoza. Berkely 1979

> Prüfungsmodalitäten

Apart from actively participating in the discussions of selected primary texts, students will be required to give a short talk and to write a an essay in English. In their research, students will also refer to the primary and secondary literature provided for the seminar.
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).

Association in the course directory

§ 4.1.4, BA M 5.3, PP § 57.6

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:36