PY113-4-FY-CO:
Death, God and the Meaning of Life
2015/16
Philosophy
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
30
17 March 2008
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA VV56 Philosophy, Religion and Ethics,
BA VV5P Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (Including Year Abroad)
Module Outline
In the first part of this module, we shall consider some of life`s big questions, the problems we each of us face as human beings. What, if anything, is the meaning of our lives? How can we become wise? Do we stand in need of salvation? Can we make sense of human suffering? How should we think about our own deaths? We shall approach these questions by taking a fresh look at some of the most powerful stories, myths and allegories in the history of reflection on the human condition. Drawing from both Greek and Judeo-Christian sources, we shall examine the following, from a philosophical point of view:
The Trial of Socrates
Plato`s Cave
Eden and the Fall
The Myth of Sisyphus
The Sufferings of Job
The Tragedy of Antigone
The Binding of Isaac
In the second part of the module we take up the problem of nihilism as experienced in modernity. We begin with Nietzsche`s account of the problem of nihilism as it emerges in the wake of the `death of god`, before turning to Weber`s account of processes of disenchantment and rationalisation, and Freud`s analysis of the repressive forces of civilization. We then examine responses to this `malaise of modernity` that emphasise the role of art, an authentic relation to one`s own death, the radical choosing of oneself and collective political struggle. Topics we will focus on include:
The Death of God (Nietzsche)
The Iron Cage of Modernity (Weber)
Civilization and its Discontents (Freud)
Art as a Saving Sorceress (Nietzsche)
The Antinomy of Life and Art (Thomas Mann)
Confronting One`s Own Death (Tolstoy)
Choosing Oneself (Sartre)
Collective Emancipation of Humanity (Marx)
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module students should to be able to:
display detailed knowledge of the texts covered in the module;
display some knowledge of the ways in which these texts have been variously interpreted and developed by different philosophers;
engage orally and in writing with these texts in a philosophical way, considering arguments and ideas carefully and critically;
display an understanding of the presuppositions of the question of the meaning of life in a `modern` context;
recognise the variety of forms of philosophical inquiry and expression, and be able to assess their significance for the philosophical content.
By the end of the module, students should also have acquired a set of transferable skills, and in particular be able to:
define the task in which they are engaged and exclude what is irrelevant;
seek and organise the most relevant discussions and sources of information;
process a large volume of diverse and sometimes conflicting arguments;
compare and evaluate different arguments and assess the limitations of their own position or procedure;
write and present verbally a succinct and precise account of positions, arguments, and their presuppositions and implications;
be sensitive to the positions of others and communicate their own views in ways that are accessible to them;
think 'laterally' and creatively - see interesting connections and possibilities and present these clearly rather than as vague hunches;
maintain intellectual flexibility and revise their own position if shown wrong;
think critically and constructively.
No information available.
No information available.
No additional information available.
1 x one-hour lecture each week followed by a one-hour discussion class at which issues covered in the lecture will be discussed in smaller class groups. Weeks 8 and 21 are Reading Weeks. Revision sessions in summer term.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Early Assessment Opportunity |
|
0% |
| Coursework |
Autumn Term Essay |
|
50% |
| Coursework |
Spring Term Essay |
|
50% |
| Exam |
Main exam: 180 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
Additional coursework information
Students must achieve a minimum mark of 40% overall to pass this module.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Dan Watts (Autumn), Dr Steve Gormley (Spring)
Initial contact is Barbara Brickman, First Year Undergraduate Administrator (Philosophy), email bbrick@essex.ac.uk, tel 01206 873485
Yes
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
Philosophy
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