Universität Wien

180116 SE Francis Bacon: an introductory seminar (2015W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung

The course seeks to provide a comprehensible exposition of the thought of Francis Bacon, (1561-1626).
Moodle

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

max. 45 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

16.10. Welcome, Introduction, Literature, Schedule Recent trends: Pamela Smith in Renaissance Quarterly 62#2 (2009): 345-75
23.10. Between Law and politics, Bacon’s life and times: an introduction to the general historical background
30. 10. The Essays
6. 11. The Advancement of Learning I: Science, the art of eloquence and some inefficient ways of raising money
13. 11. The Advancement of Learning II: White spots on the map of human knowledge
20.11. Towards a doctrine of idols: Valerius Terminus and the Advancement of learning
27. 11. After the Fall, or: knowledge as power: The novum organon I
4.12. After the Fall, or: knowledge as power: The novum organon II
NO class on Dec. 11: as this is the preparatory week for the study day
18.12. Study Day 9 AM to 7 PM
8.1. 2016 Critical assessments: Bacon as a philosopher of science in later perspectives.

Please note: there will be no regular classes after Jän. 8, but you are welcome to contact me during my office hours (Friday 12 AM–1PM) on appointment on all issues regarding your papers (for instance, your choice of texts).

  • Freitag 16.10. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 23.10. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 30.10. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 06.11. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 13.11. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 20.11. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 27.11. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 04.12. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 11.12. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 18.12. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 08.01. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 15.01. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 22.01. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock
  • Freitag 29.01. 13:15 - 14:30 Hörsaal 3F NIG 3.Stock

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

The course seeks to provide a comprehensible exposition of the thought of Francis Bacon, (1561-1626). By means of guided close readings of selected primary texts the seminar will provide an advanced introduction to the philosophical achievements of Francis Bacon, and his socio-political and intellectual environment; it will outline pre-modern conceptualizations of new epistemologies that were going in tandem with a re-assessment of the human emotional life. The focus on the changing intellectual culture of Early modern England will also touch the changing conditions of research.

The seminar will be held in English, accompanied by reading material from selected relevant primary sources and secondary literature at the student’s disposal in the library. General introductions to the historical and intellectual backgrounds of the texts under consideration will go along with close readings of selected passages from Bacon’s works.

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

Certificates

Apart from actively participating in the discussions of selected primary texts, students will be required to give a short talk and to write a ten page essay in English. In their research, students will refer to the primary and secondary literature provided for the seminar as well as other scholarly literature; in their essay, they will demonstrate their capacity handle the usual methods of scholarly documentation as required in the style sheet issued by the department of philosophy at the University of Vienna .
Please note: in order to obtain a certificate for this seminar it is necessary to give a talk and to write a paper (which may be related to the talk but which will not merely be a summary of your presentation).

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

Enhance historical and factual knowledge about and comprehension of a difficult and fascinating exponent of an epoch of transition during which modern science and philosophy was emerging. Exercise capacities of reading and understanding early modern primary sources in their original languages. Develop individual capacities for independent research and investigation and presentation of results in oral and written form.

Prüfungsstoff

The seminar will be held in English, accompanied by reading material from selected relevant primary sources and secondary literature at the student’s disposal in the library.
General introductions to the historical and intellectual backgrounds of the texts under consideration will go along with close readings of selected passages from Bacon’s works.

Literatur

Recommended minimal reading

Perez Zagorin, Francis Bacon, Princeton 1998 (Introduction)

Primary texts

The Advancement of Learning (1605)

I recommend buying the following (cheap but excellent!) editon:

Francis Bacon: The Major Works (Oxford World's Classics) ed. by Brian Vickers. Oxford: oxford university press. (favailable for 20 Euros, or less order ASAP!)

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

BA 5.3
BA M 15
BA M 09
MA 1

Letzte Änderung: Mo 07.09.2020 15:36