Introductory description

PH107 - Problems in Philosophy and Literature

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1. Philosophy and Literature: basic ideas and questions

Weeks 2 and 3: Emotion and Reason
Readings such as J. M. Coetzee, The Lives of Animals;
Aristotle, Poetics; Thomas Nagel, ‘What is it like to be a bat?’; Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments

Weeks 4 and 5: Belief and Unbelief
Readings such as Flannery O'Connor, short stories; Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, “Faith in Man”

Weeks 7 and 8: Ethics and Aesthetics
Readings such as Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye; extracts from: Immanuel Kant, The Critique of Judgemen;t
Pierre Bourdieu, Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste; Iris Murdoch, The Sovereignty of Good

Weeks 9 and 10: Poetic Language
Readings such as William Wordsworth, “The Brothers”; Martin Heidegger, “. . . Poetically Man Dwells . . .”; Friedrich Hölderlin, 'In Lovely Blue'

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand how central themes are addressed in the core texts, and understand how philosophical and literary concerns combine in addressing these themes;
• Articulate their own views on how to interpret and evaluate the achievements of the core texts, showing ability to support claims with textual detail, enter into debate and respond constructively to other points of view;
• Critically analyse and evaluate philosophical and interpretive arguments on central issues in philosophy and literature;
• Recognize the distinctive contributions made by texts that have combined philosophical and literary significance.

Indicative reading list

(included in syllabus above)

Interdisciplinary

Co-taught across two departments.

International

Core texts can be drawn from non-UK and non-European traditions (e.g., works by Japanese, Argentinian and North American writers have been core texts on the module).

Subject specific skills

• Understanding of what it means to bring the disciplines of philosophy and literature together
• Apply philosophical concepts and arguments to literary works and vice versa
• Ability to critically discuss literary and philosophical texts
• Ability to support claims with textual detail, enter into debate and respond constructively to other points of view

Transferable skills

• Close reading, analysis and interpretation of complex texts
• Ability to explain and support one's own claims
• Communication, both oral and written