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Philosophical Readings 4

Module description

Martin Heidegger's Being and Time, one of the most important philosophical works of the 20th century, marks a radical break with the Western Philosophical Tradition and ushers in an entirely new way of thinking about the nature of human existence that has relevance to all aspects and areas of human endeavor, the human and social sciences and the most basic questions of philosophy.  Heidegger's aim is no less than to return the focus of philosophy back to that of 'ontology' while redefining what ontology means in the modern age. The two additional articles we will read have been highly influential for the philosophy of art and for the critique of technology.  As an advanced reading class in philosophy, this module offers you an opportunity to grapple with, penetrate and master primary texts. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will familiarise you with Martin Heidegger's Being and Time, one of the most important and trend-setting texts of the twentieth century and two of the most influential essays of his later work. Through careful and detailed study of these texts, supplemented by secondary sources, and in depth class discussions, you will enhance your familiarity with the fundamental techniques required to read, understand and critically engage with a philosophical text.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. engage in in-depth study of a text through detailed reading and analysis;
• 2. demonstrate sound understanding of the historical and social context of production of the philosophical book;
• 3. question/criticise the text’s approach from different perspectives;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. analyse philosophical arguments;
• 5. reason about the abstract and concrete problems addressed in texts;
• 6. write well-argued essays using appropriate philosophical arguments and language;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. construct and evaluate arguments;
• 8. formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction; and
• 9. assess, analyse, discuss, and criticise the views of others.

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

1. Introduction: Kant and the Copernican Revolution in Philosophy. From Kant to Heidegger.   
2. B&T: Introduction I – Exposition of the Question of the Meaning of Being
3. Being-In-The-World in General  
4. The Worldhood of the World – analysis of environmentality 
5. The Worldhood of the World – contrast with Descartes  
6. Being-With and Being-One’s Self. The They. 
7. The Existential Constitution of the ‘There’
8. The Everyday Being of the ‘There’ and the falling of Dasein.  
9. Care as the Being of Dasein. 
10. The Origin of the Work of Art  
11. The Question Concerning Technology

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Required Reading: Martin Heidegger, Being and Time (trans. John Macquarrie & Edward Robinson), Harper & Row 1962.

Recommended Additional Reading:

Hubert Dreyfus, Being-In-The-World, MIT (1991)

Stephen Mulhall, Heidegger and Being & Time, Routledge, 1996

William Blattner, Heidegger's 'Being and Time': A Reader's Guide, Continuum, 2006

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Additional readings will be posted on the ELE web page. 

Key words search

Heidegger, Being-In-The-World, Dasein, Phenomenology, Existentialism