The Human Condition: Introduction to Philosophical Anthropology - YBAJ016

• Title: The Human Condition: Introduction to Philosophical Anthropology
• Guaranteed by: Programme Liberal Arts and Humanities (24-SHVAJ)
• Faculty: Faculty of Humanities
• Actual: from 2023 to 2023
• Semester: winter
• E-Credits: 4
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:2/0, MC [HS]
• Extent per academic year: 26 [hours]
• Capacity: 40 / unknown (40)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: Mgr. Jakub Marek, Ph.D.
• Teacher(s): Mgr. Jakub Marek, Ph.D.
• Class: Courses available to incoming students
• Incompatibility : YBF294

Annotation

English

Last update: Mgr. Jakub Marek, Ph.D. (07.12.2023)

Updated annotation for 2023/24. In this lecture cycle we will be exploring the complicated terrain of "being human" from the point of view of a single individual. We will be discussing the metaphors and major conceptions of human life and, specifically, the idea of the three ages (childhood, adulthood, old age). The class is designed to be accessible to all interested students, with or without prior philosophical background.

Czech

Last update: Mgr. Jakub Marek, Ph.D. (07.12.2023)

Aktualizovaná anotace pro rok 2023/24. V tomto přednáškovém cyklu budeme zkoumat komplikovaný terén "bytí člověkem" z perspektivy jedince. Budeme diskutovat o metaforách a hlavních koncepcích lidského života, konkrétně o představě tří věků (dětství, dospělost, stáří). Přednášky jsou koncipovány tak, aby byly přístupné všem zájemcům, nehledě na předchozí zkušenost s filosofií.

Syllabus

Last update: Mgr. Jakub Marek, Ph.D. (09.01.2024)

1. Introduction: Metaphors of human life. Stages, transformations, generations.

A. The beginnings
2. The untainted beginning: Arendt, Habermas, and the conditio humana.
3. Childhood, Immediacy, Innocence, Kierkegaard.
4. The Darwinian legacy and controversy.
5. Becoming human I. First transformation (the unnaturalness of humankind).

B. Akme: the fullness of life
6. Becoming human II. Second transformation (individuality and society)
7. The responsible age: ethical life (Hegel) and struggles of individuality (Jaspers).
8. What is a worthy life (well-being, flourishing).
The future perfect humankind: transhumanism

C. Old age
9. Becoming human III. Third transformation (care for the soul).
10. Sickness, death and the condition of mortality.
11. The aging animal.
12. The disturbing idea of immortality.

13. Concluding class: are we human, yet?

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Recommended readings:

Sokol, J., Thinking about Ordinary Things. A Short Invitation to Philosophy, Karolinum 2013.
Arendt, H., The Human Condition, University of Chicago Press 1998.

Further readings:

Beauvoir, S., The Coming of Age, G.P. Putnam's Sons 1972.
Darwin, Ch., On the Origin of Species, Oxford University Press 2008.
Descartes, R., Meditations on First Philosophy, Oxford University Press 2008.
Feuerbach, L., The Essence of Christianity (any edition).
Habermas, J., The Future of Human Nature, Polity Press 2003.
Hegel, G.W.F, Phenomenology of Spirit, Oxford University Press 1977.
Kant, I., Practical Philosophy, Cambridge University Press 2012.
Kierkegaard, S., The Concept of Anxiety, Princeton University Press 1980.
Marx, K., "Estranged Labor", in Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, Prometheus Books 1988, p. 69-84.
Patočka, J., Heretical Essays in the Philosophy of History, Open Court 1996.
Sirois F.M. & Pychyl T.A. (eds.), Procrastination, Health, and Well-Being, Academic Press/Elsevier 2016.

Course completion requirements

Last update: Mgr. Jakub Marek, Ph.D. (07.12.2023)

The examination will consist of a written test based on class discussions and readings. There are recommended and further readings for the class. The readings are not compulsory, they are for your reference and further study.  You can pass the test without them. There will, however, be a bonus test question regarding your choice of readings. In other words: you will get bonus points for readings.