OhioLINK History of Philosophy Website
10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. T/R
Fall 1998
Professor Frank Ryan
320-E Bowman Hall
Office Hours: 11:00-12:00 M/W/F
1:00-2:00 T/R
and by appointment.
The nineteenth century witnessed the high water mark of philosophical system-building, but also its subsequent erosion and redirection. This course focuses upon five influential movements of the era: idealism, empiricism, Marxism, existentialistic romanticism, and pragmatism. We will examine the philosophies of eleven seminal figures: Schelling, Fichte, Hegel, Comte, Mill, Marx, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Peirce, James, and Dewey. Without doubt Hegel casts the longest shadow across the century, and we'll read Robert Pippin's Hegel's Idealism in order to approach this profound yet daunting philosopher. We'll also note Hegel's influence upon later philosophers, especially Marx, Kierkegaard, and Dewey--philosophers who built significant bridges to twentieth century thought.
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This is a writing intensive course. As such, a significant part of your overall grade is divided between small writing assignments (micros) designed to help you prepare for major writing assignments (macros). Keep on top of these projects! All work not submitted by the stated deadline must be assessed one full letter grade per day late.
Here are your assigned micros and macros:
| weight | assignment | topic |
|---|---|---|
| 5% | Micro 1 | web page and resource source familiarity |
| 5% | Micro 2 | paper topic and abstract I |
| (ungraded) | Macro 1 | 5-7 page paper I |
| 5% | Micro 3 | returned comments page with proposed corrections |
| 20% | Macro 2 | revised original paper |
| 5% | Micro 4 | paper topic and abstract II |
| 20% | Macro 3 | 5-7 page paper II |
| weight | how assessed |
|---|---|
| 15% | determined by a midterm exam, primarily objective and short answer |
| 20% | determined by a final exam primarily objective and short answer; the final will cover material from the second half of the course only |
| 5% | is an attendance grade, assigned on the basis of a curve where the top 20% receive 'A', the second 20% receive 'B', etc. Three instances of tardiness count as one absence. |
Note: Students who ask questions and regularly participate in class discussions will receive 1-2 points added to their overall grade.
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I am generally happy to excuse absences for legitimate reasons when I receive prior or same-day notification. A post to my e-mail address is ideal, but phone calls are also acceptable (try to call during office hours, if possible). Otherwise, written documentation from a recognized source is required in order to excuse an absence.
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Because the study of philosophy is most beneficial when personal insights supplement a conceptual understanding of the material, regular attendance and active involvement in class discussions are important. Please avoid tardiness, which may disrupt the continuity and lectures and discussions. Ask questions in class or consult your instructor about any concepts or arguments you do not fully understand.
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Cheating and plagiarism are serious academic offenses that will not be tolerated. University Policy 3342-3-07, section D, provides penalties including but not limited to (1) assigning a zero grade for the work in which the cheating or plagiarism took place or (2) assigning a grade of "F" in the course. Please consult University Policy 3342-3-07, included in the KSU Telephone Directory, for additional information.
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The Philosophy Department Grievance Procedure for handling student grievances is in conformity with the Student Academic Complaint Policy and Procedures set down as University Policy 3342-4-16 in the University Policy Register. For information concerning the details of the grievance procedure, please see the departmental chairperson.
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In accordance with University Policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required. Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the office of Student Disability Services (SDS) in the Michael Schwartz Student Services Center (672-3391).
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Abbrevations:
| HI | Hegel's Idealism |
| NCP | Nineteenth Century Philosophy |
| U | Utilitarianism |
| R | Library Reserve |
| Date | Topic | Reading | Assignment Due | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 1 | Introduction: The Legacy of Kant | ||
| I. Idealism | ||||
| 3 | Hegel as an Idealist; Apperception | HI: 3-24 | ||
| 8 | Hegel & Kant | HI: 24-42 | ||
| 10 | Fichte's Apperception | HI: 42-60 | Macro 1: web page & research | |
| 15 | Schelling and the Young Hegel | HI: 60-73 | ||
| 17 | Reflection, Speculation, & Identity | HI:73-88 | ||
| 22 | Skepticism & Phenomenology | HI: 91-99 | Micro 2: topic & abstract I | |
| 24 | The Science of Consciousness | HI: 99-115 | ||
| 29 | Hegel: Overcoming Consciousness | HI: 116-131 | ||
| October | 1 | Hegel: The Turning Point | HI: 131-154 | Macro 1: paper I |
| 6 | Hegel: The Absolute Standpoint | HI: 154-171 | ||
| 8 | Hegel: History of Philosophy | NCP: 76-87 | ||
| 15 | MIDTERM EXAM | |||
| II. Empiricism | ||||
| 20 | Comte: Positivism | NCP: 131-157 | Micro 3: comments page | |
| 22 | Mill: Metaphysics & Induction | NCP: 188-213 | ||
| 29 | Mill: Mind & Belief | NCP: 214-236 | ||
| November | 3 | Mill: Utilitarianism | U: 3-33 | |
| III. Marxism | ||||
| 5 | Marx: Critique of Hegel & Philosophy | NCP: 261-272; 284-288 | Macro 2: revised paper I | |
| 10 | Marx: Social & Political Philosophy | NCP: 273-280 R: Baird & Kaufman: 1093-1103 | ||
| IV. Existentialistic Romanticism | ||||
| 12 | Kierkegaard: Objective & Subjective | NCP: 289-308 | ||
| 17 | Kierkegaard: Melancholy & Dread | NCP: 308-320 | Micro 4: topic and abstract II | |
| 19 | Nietzsche: Philosophy & Knowledge | NCP: 321-343; 360-363 | ||
| 24 | Nietzsche: Master & Slave Morality | NCP: 344-359; 364-365 | ||
| 25-29 | Thanksgiving Recess | |||
| December | V. Pragmatism | |||
| 1 | Peirce: The Fixation of Belief | R: Buchler: 5-22; 228-250 | ||
| 3 | Peirce: Phenomenology | R: Buchler: 74-97 | ||
| 8 | James: The Perception of Reality | R: James, 913-930 | Macro3: paper II | |
| 10 | Dewey: Knowledge & Action | R: Dewey, EW 3: 57-74; EW 5: 4-24 | ||
| 14 | FINAL EXAM: Monday, December 14, 12:45-3:00 | |||
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This page is part of the OhioLINK History of Philosophy Instructional Website designed and developed by the Department of Philosophy at Kent State University. We are interested in any comments you may have concerning this syllabus. Send e-mail to the KSU Department of Philosophy Instructional Website Development Team or directly to Professor Frank Ryan, who designed this syllabus.
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Fall 1998.
KSU Department of Philosophy