Universität Wien
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180109 LPS Enlightenment now (2022W)

5.00 ECTS (3.00 SWS), SPL 18 - Philosophie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 45 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The first session of this introductory reading seminar will be online.

  • Wednesday 12.10. 13:15 - 15:30 Digital
  • Wednesday 19.10. 13:15 - 15:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 09.11. 13:15 - 15:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 16.11. 13:15 - 15:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 23.11. 13:15 - 15:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 30.11. 13:15 - 15:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 07.12. 13:15 - 15:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 14.12. 13:15 - 15:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 11.01. 13:15 - 15:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 18.01. 13:15 - 15:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien
  • Wednesday 25.01. 13:15 - 15:30 Hörsaal 3D, NIG Universitätsstraße 7/Stg. III/3. Stock, 1010 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Conspiracy theories and irrationality rule the world, hostility to science is everywhere, truth no longer exists: this is what many believe and media reports seem to reinforce this impression. But Steven Pinker shows in his book ENLIGHTENMENT NOW that this is not true. Statistically, our lives have steadily gotten much better. So where does our dissatisfaction, the general doomsday lament and our fear of the future come from?

Pinker uses data to show that today we are living longer, healthier, safer, happier, more peaceful and more prosperous lives than ever before, and not just in the Western world. The reason: the Enlightenment and its value system. Because enlightenment and science still provide the basis for addressing all problems with reason and by consensus. Instead of rumors, facts count; instead of believing in traditional myths, one builds on discussion and arguments.

In this reading seminar, we will combine a reading of Steven Pinker’s text to the writings of Enlightenment philosophers. How did people think about war, gender relations, vaccination, and conspiracy theories in the 18th century? And why can an understanding of the Enlightenment then help us understand the Enlightenment as a project for our present?

Method: Regular attendance in class sessions where we will work in groups, regular timely upload of your assignments (two days prior to class), a short presentation (alternatively in the form of a short podcast) and active participation in discussions.

Assessment and permitted materials

Each assignment will be graded by a point-system (5 out of 5 possible points amounts to „excellent“). Students can view their individual points in Moodle. – The complete set of corrected papers handed in each week will be visible in Moodle, however, these papers will have been anonymized. This way students can learn from reading their peers’ work.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

In order to get a positive grade you have to hand in ten short assignments as will be explained in the first unit. Attendance in our class sessions is mandatory, however, you may miss two course units. You will be graded on each part of your contributions to class, your weekly submissions amount to 70 per cent of your final grade, 30 per cent are based on your active participation in in-class discussions.
By registering for this course, you tacitly agree to having all your electronic submissions checked by Turnitin.
The points system explained above results in the following grades based on your ten required assignments:
46-50 points: excellent (1)
36-44 points: good (2)
26-35 points: fair (3)
If you achieved less than 26 points on these assignments, you will receive a poor grade (4). If you have not submitted all partial assignments, you will fail the reading seminar.

Examination topics

This is an introductory seminar for students who want to learn how to read and write philosophical texts. No final exam. Excerpts from the reading list (below) will be the basis for our discussions and the written homework.

Reading list

All texts will be available on Moodle. The primary text which will structure this term is the polemic treatise by Steven Pinker:

Pinker, Steven (2018): Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress. New York: Viking.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Th 11.05.2023 11:27