| CODE | PHI2043 | ||||||
| TITLE | Essence and Identity between Metaphysics, Politics and Culture | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Philosophy | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit will discuss the genealogy of concepts such as essence and identity in Western thought with specific focus on areas such as metaphysics and ontology. It will then consider the way these concepts have become entrenched in and sedimented in everyday thought, influencing other discourses that do not normally fall within the remit of metaphysics, such as the discourses that concern national and group identities. The study-unit seeks: to identify the concepts in question: to examine their characteristics; and analyze them in light of Wittgenstein's non-essentialist later philosophy. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to make students familiar with the genealogy and philosophical implications of concepts we use in everyday life such as the concept of identity. They will not only analyze the limits and possibilities of the way in which this concept is normally understood, but compare to alternative ways in which the identity of an entity or a group is conceptualized. In this regard, use will be made of some notions from Wittgenstein's later philosophy. The knowledge thus acquired will enable students to understand better and engage with a number of phenomena that are occurring around us, in a context where identities are becoming more fluid while, concomitantly, old spectres are re-surfacing. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1) Describe metaphysical concepts such as the concept of essence and identity; 2) Analyze the way concepts which may appear abstract and aloof influence concrete thought and action, and vice versa; 3) Examine some notions that are fundamental to Wittgenstein's Later philosophy such as the notion of language-game and the notion of family resemblance. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1) Appraise concrete situations and scenarios, including the most immediate ones; 2) Identify the various ways a group identity can be conceived, suggesting options that may be more in tune with the changes and challenges our society and continent are facing; 3) Engage in coherent arguments and write philosophically sound assignments on any of the topics discussed. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Effingham, Nikk. Introduction to Ontology. Polity Press, 2013. - Kenny, Anthony. Wittgenstein. Revised Edition. Blackwell, 2006. Supplementary Texts: - Fuchs, Stephan. Against Essentialism: A Theory of Culture and Society. Harvard U.P., 2005. - Meikle, Scott. Essentialism in the Thought of Karl Marx. Open Court, 1985. |
||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
||||||
| LECTURER/S | Michael Grech |
||||||
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
|||||||