180105 SE Being Bound to Others (2018W)

Course Description
In this seminar, we will read the book “Moral Emotions: Reclaiming the Evidence of the Heart” (2014) by Phenomenologist Anthony Steinbock. Our focus will be on understanding the interpersonal structure of emotions and the way they reveal our ways of being existentially tied to other people. We will critically engage with the phenomenological position presented, which mean that we will draw on alternative views presented in philosophy of emotion, and we will also discuss the specific interpretations of classical phenomenological thinkers such as Heidegger, Scheler and Husserl.

Aim
The aim of the course is to make the students familiar with philosophy of emotions and in particular with a phenomenological approach to emotions, while at the same time enabling them to critically reflect on specific phenomenological accounts and interpretations of emotions. Thereby the students will achieve a platform from which current debates on affectivity, collective versus individualistic accounts of emotions, as well as the moral aspect of emotions can be understood and from which they can actively and critically engage in questions of related to philosophical debates on shame, love, hope, despair, guilt, pride, and trust.

Method
- Focused readings of key articles and chapters
- Detailed critical discussions of texts
- Group discussions followed by presentation of key arguments
- Introductory mini-lectures by seminar leader
- Written weekly reflections
- Oral student presentations