What Becomes of the Human after Humanism? Heidegger and French Philosophy of Difference

Philosophy 362

Course Description: What future is there for humanity? Is the ‘human being’ a concept that has outlived its usefulness or does it still have unique and indispensable resources to offer us? In this course, we will explore the humanism/anti-humanism debate that occurred in postwar French philosophy, focusing especially on Foucault, Deleuze, and Derrida, as well as Heidegger’s influence on the discussion. In the process, we will examine the role of the concepts of difference and repetition in each of these four thinkers and their various responses to the question of the human being and its future.

Texts: 1. Henri Bergson. Introduction to Metaphysics. Trans. T.E. Hulme. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1999.

2. Jacques Derrida. Margins of Philosophy. Trans. Alan Bass. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1982.

3. Jacques Derrida. On Cosmopolitanism and Forgiveness. Trans. Mark Dooley and Michael Hughes. London: Routledge, 2001.

4. Michel Foucault. The History of Sexuality. Trans. Robert Hurley. New York: Vintage, 1978.

5. Michel Foucault. The Use of Pleasure. Trans. Robert Hurley. New York: Vintage, 1990.

6. Selected Readings

Grading: Attendance and

Class Participation 10%

Daily Quizzes 10%

Writing Assignments 80%

A 93-100

A- 90-92

B+ 87-89

B 83-86

B- 80-82

C+ 77-79

C 73-76

C- 70-72

D+ 67-69

D 60-66

F 0-60

1. Writing Assignments: The majority of your grade will be based on writing assignments, which will include several 5 page papers and a final paper, 10-15 pages in length. All students need to work with the tutors in the Writing Center (Phil-Science 103, 226-4852) before turning in their papers.

2. Class Participation and Daily Quizzes: Most of our class time will be spent in discussion, and each student’s participation is encouraged and expected. Informed participation requires a careful reading of assigned texts ahead of class. In order to encourage this, a short quiz on the reading assignment will be given at the beginning of every class. No make-ups will be allowed.

3. Attendance: Prompt and consistent attendance is expected and is in your best interest because poor attendance and tardies will inevitably affect your other grades. Also, I weigh attendance heavily when giving final grades in borderline cases. Excessive absences will reduce your grade: If you have more than 3 absences, your final grade will be reduced one letter grade. You must have less than 6 absences to pass the class. Tardies and leaving early will be counted toward your absences. If you miss a class, I recommend that you make arrangements to copy the notes of another student.