Descriptif

Themes in Contemporary Philosophy

The limits of knowledge and subjectivity, of technology and of action, are in many ways the defining question of contemporary philosophy.  In this course, we'll embark upon our own philosophical investigations, with help from a wide selection of contemporary thinkers – philosophers, but also historians, poets, playwrights and film makers.

The sessions will cover epistemology, the linguistic turn, moral knowledge, virtue, ethical action and ethical technology – from A.I. to Crispr – and students will be involved in the process.

We will collaborate throughout the trimester on a working lexicon which will offer up definitions of concepts and ideas.

Each week students will carry out a thought experiment (roughly) pertaining to the week’s topic. These thought experiments can be of their own devise, or from literature, sociology, psychology or philosophy.