Philosophy is usually associated with careful reasoning, yet many philosophers have suggested that genuine insight also requires uncertainty, imagination and a willingness to question deeply held assumptions. This thought-provoking course explores the relationship between reason and unreason, asking whether intellectual transformation sometimes requires stepping beyond familiar patterns of thought. Through close reading and discussion of philosophical texts, participants will discover new ways of engaging with ideas while reflecting on philosophy as both an intellectual and deeply personal journey. Suitable for participants with an interest in philosophy and reflective discussion.
Face to face
Each session will focus on key passages in the following:
- Descartes (Meditations 1 and 2) to explore how he provides an initial philosophical approach to “madness”.
- Nietzsche: "The madman", the death of God and the future of meaning and values (in The Gay Science, aphorism 125)
- Derrida: his argument with Foucault, pointing to the contradiction of reasoning about madness (‘Cogito and the History of Madness’ in Writing and Difference)
- Zizek – His approach to quantum physics and his idea of an incomplete/discontinuous universe – his challenge to common sense notions of identity (Quantum History A New Materialist Philosophy)
- Review – Surveying aspects of Continental Philosophy in relation to the theme of madness, meaning, insight and prophecy.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Recognise some key themes and preoccupations in Continental philosophy as distinct from Analytic Philosophy
- Understand why and how the idea of foundation and origin is problematic in philosophy
- Understand the role of language in the generation of thought
- Understand how contemporary issues can be approached from a philosophical perspective
