Christopher Fynsk - Seminars / Workshop / Lectures
Chris Fynsk: Heidegger: Introduction to Heidegger (3 credits)
A foundation seminar on the thinking of most important philosopher of the 20th century. Explores the future potential of one of Europe's most influential 20th century philosophers and addresses divergent practices of thought and art in post-Heideggerian thinkers.
The course examines the huge impact of Heidegger on much of contemporary thought. From his seminal Being and Time to later work on technology and language, Heidegger uncovered great insights about the metaphysical basis of our conceptions of being. His critiques arose from a thorough and deep understanding not only of Western philosophy since the pre-Socratics, but also of many non-Western philosophical traditions.
However, Heidegger’s philosophy is not without a strong problematic, in particular his short association with German National Socialism in the 1930s culminating in his abortive period as Rector of the University of Freiburg. Chris Fynsk’s seminar doesn’t shy away from the darker side of Heidegger, arguing that contrary to many opinions his short involvement with National Socialism was a result of his philosophical outlook during that time period. However, it should also not be taken as a excuse to discard Heidegger’s thought. Instead, it should serve as an example of the dangers inherent in a human culture still attempting to escape its traditional metaphysical baggage.
This class is in seminar format. This means that your active participation is a requirement of the course. During the semester you will be expected to contribute your own ideas and arguments to the discussion, and to be willing to take the risks such contributions imply.
Required Texts: Fynsk, Chris. Heidegger: Thought and Historicity. Fynsk, Chris. Infant Figures: The Death of the Infans and Other Scenes of Origin. Fynsk, Chris. Iconographies of Silence in Leaving Picutres: Towards an Art of History. Ed. Salvatore Puglia Heidegger, Martin. Being and Time. Heidegger, Martin. On the Way to Language. Heidegger, Martin. Nietzsche Vol I, II and III. Heidegger, Martin. The Origin of the Work of Art and The Way to Language in Basic Writings. Heidegger, Martin. The Question Concerning Technology in The Question Concerning Technology and Other Essays. Heidegger, Martin. Building Dwelling Thinking in Poetry Language Thought. Heidegger, Martin. The Essence of Language in On the Way to Language. Heidegger, Martin. The Basic Problems of Phenomenology. Heidegger, Martin. The Essence of Ground in Pathmarks.
Classes: Day 1 Lessons 1. Rethinking the history of philosophy: Heidegger I and II and ‘the turn’ a. The problem of the subject b. The obstacle of language i. Reading: Fynsk, Chris. Heidegger: Thought and Historicity 2. Heidegger’s critique of Western ontology a. Towards a new philosophy of being b. Dasein: being versus Being i. Reading: Heidegger, Martin, Being and Time 3. Was Nietzsche the last metaphysician? a. Heidegger’s debt to Nietzsche b. Beyond nihilism i. Reading: Heidegger, Martin. Nietzsche Vol I, II and III 4. Heidegger in the 1930s a. The Freiburg Rectorship b. The distant dispensation i. Reading: Fynsk, Chris. Heidegger: Thought and Historicity Day 2 Lessons 5. Finding the truth in art a. The three conceptions of thingliness b. The essence of the artwork c. Art as the site of unconcealing i. Reading: Heidegger, Martin. The Origin of the Work of Art 6. The reinstatement of alhqeia a. Truth as a revealing which also conceals b. The strife of earth and world i. Reading: Heidegger, Martin. The Origin of the Work of Art 7. Equipment, technology, and Enframing a. The essence of technology b. Instrumental being as the legacy of technical existence i. Reading: Heidegger, Martin. The Question Concerning Technology 8. Praxis, poiesis and production a. Mankind as standing reserve i. Reading: Heidegger, Martin. The Essence of Ground Day 3 Lessons 9. Art’s jouissance: engaging dissemblance i. Reading: Heidegger, Martin. On the Way to Language 10. Ereignis and the relation between man and language i. Reading: Heidegger, Martin. The Essence of Language 11. Poiesias and the Fourfold a. The poetry of Holderlin b. Mythopoietic philosophy i. Reading: Heidegger, Martin. Building Dwelling Thinking 12. Heidegger’s Postmodern legacy a. Nancy, Fynsk, Lyotard, Ronell