PHIL 233 - Nihilism and The Crisis of Modernity: 19th Century Philosophy

(3 credits)
Prerequisite: One 100-level, three credit course in philosophy or CRIT 111
This course addresses the growing philosophical sentiment of nihilism in the 19^th century as a response to the major systematic philosophers of this era. To do so, we highlight the tension between the traditional philosophical view that reason is a central characteristic to human nature on the one hand, and the collapse of reason and possible descent into nihilism on the other. We begin by examining the metaphysics, epistemology and moral theory of the 18^th century philosopher, Kant. We turn to investigate German Idealism, Hegel and Mill to understand systematic adaptations and challenges to Kant. We close with three 19^th century philosophers who emphasize a skeptical and revolutionary rejection of systematic philosophy and the priority of reason: Schopenhauer (pessimism), Kierkegaard (paradoxical leap of faith) and Nietzsche (nihilism). Offered alternate years. (Formerly PHIL 304) (CHUM; CWRT)