INTRODUCTION TO EXISTENTIALISM
PHL 102, SECTION 01 (CRN: 31025)
GALLAGHER BUSINESS BUILDING, ROOM 122
TR 11:10-12:30
SPRING SEMESTER 2014
Professor: David Sherman
Office: LA 159, ext. 2607
Office Hours: TR 2:00-3:00 and by appt.
E-mail: david.sherman@umontana.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A philosophical and literary movement, existentialism was a reaction to the universalization of
the scientific paradigm in the modern world, or what is called “scientism.” Around the 1600s,
science overthrew Christian dogma as that against which all human endeavors were measured,
and philosophy increasingly came to see itself in scientific terms. This led to the “objectification
of the world,” as is reflected in Descartes’ inauguration of modern philosophy. Yet, ultimately,
it was Hegel’s philosophy in the early 1800’s that was the impetus for existentialism. Hegel’s
grand, all-encompassing system, which ended in Absolute Knowing, left nothing out, but what
became ever more negligible in this totalizing philosophical movement from Descartes to Hegel
was the very object of the enlightenment’s alleged concern, the free, self-determining individual.
Although a varied bunch, the existentialists all shared a concern with the fate of the individual in
the modern world. We begin with two novels and an essay by Camus, which frame many of the
issues in the course. We then touch on Hegel, examine some of the essential writings of the two
principal existential philosophers of the 19th century, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, and fleetingly
look at two pieces by Dostoyevsky. We conclude by examining some of the essential writings of
the two most important existential philosophers of the 20th century, Heidegger and Sartre.
By the end of this course, students 1) should be able to demonstrate that they understand both the
genesis and the validity of the concerns that motivated the various existentialists, which spring
from nothing less than tensions that are innate to the enlightenment tradition itself; and 2) should
be able to demonstrate that they can critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the
various existentialists.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Charles Guignon and Derk Pereboom (Eds.), Existentialism: Basic Writings (EBW), Hackett
Albert Camus, The Stranger, Random House/Vintage
Albert Camus, The Fall, Random House/Vintage
Electronic Reserve (E-Res code word: existentialism)—Readings from:
Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus
G.W.F. Hegel, Phenomenology of Spirit
Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Notes from the Underground and The Brothers Karamazov
Friedrich Nietzsche, The Genealogy of Morals
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION:
You are required both to attend class and to arrive on time. If you do not attend class or arrive
on time regularly, your final grade may be reduced by one grade increment. Texting, emailing,
tweeting, talking on the phone, surfing the net, and other rude behavior will not be tolerated, and
the student engaging in these activities will be asked to leave the classroom. While the readings
are difficult, you are generally required to read only 30-40 pages a week. You should carefully
read the assigned text both before and after class, and because there will be close textual analysis
you should bring the text to class.
Your final grade is based on three exams, each of which is worth one third of your grade. The
exams are set for February 27, March 27, and May 12, but I reserve the right to reschedule the
first two exams (with at least one week’s notice) if we do not move through the materials at a
corresponding speed. Unless evidence of emergency or illness is provided, make-up tests will
not be arranged.
Students with disabilities may request reasonable modifications by contacting me. UM assures
equal access to instruction through collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors,
and Disability Services for Students (DSS). “Reasonable” means UM permits no fundamental
alterations of academic standards or retroactive modifications.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
WEEK:
READINGS (from EBW unless indicated otherwise):
Jan 28
Jan 30
Introduction to Existentialism
Camus, The Stranger
Feb 4
Feb 6
Camus, “The Myth of Sisyphus” (E-Res: 1-12)
Camus, The Fall
Feb 11
Feb 13
Hegel (19-25)
Hegel (E-Res: 13-22)/Introduction to Kierkegaard
Feb 18
Feb 20
Kierkegaard (26-55)
Kierkegaard (55-77)
Feb 25
Feb 27
Kierkegaard (78-92)
FIRST EXAM
Mar 4
Mar 6
Nietzsche (119-142)
Nietzsche (142-148)
Mar 11
Mar 13
Nietzsche (148-160)
Nietzsche (160-171)
Mar 18
Mar 20
Nietzsche (172-181)
Nietzsche, Master and Slave Morality (E-Res: 57-86)
Mar 25
Mar 27
Dostoyevsky, Underground Man/Grand Inquisitor (E-Res: 23-56)
SECOND EXAM
Apr 1/3
SPRING BREAK
Apr 8
Apr 10
From Husserl to Heidegger
Heidegger (211-219)
Apr 15
Apr 17
Heidegger (219-230)
Heidegger (230-246)
Apr 22
Apr 24
Heidegger (246-254)
Sartre’s Early Phenomenology
Apr 29
Sartre (290-308)
May 1
Sartre (309-328)
May 6
May 8
Sartre (328-348)
Sartre (348-362)
May 12 (Monday)
THIRD EXAM (8:10-9:30)