91ÊÓƵ

Prerequisite: One 100-level, three credit course in philosophy or CRIT 111 This course addresses the growing philosophical sentiment of nihilism in the 19th 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 18th century philosopher, Kant. We turn to investigate German Idealism, Hegel and Mill to understand systematic adaptations and challenges to Kant. We close with three 19th 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)