Annotation
SUMMER 2019
Charles University
Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
(BA Module)
Daniele De Santis, Ph. D.
Office hours: Friday 14:30-15:30
Email: daniele.desantis@ff.cuni.cz
Person, Will, Community
Introduction to Edith Stein’s Phenomenology
(Friday: 9:10-10:45)
Room: P218 1. General Description and Aims of the Module
When it comes to the beginning of that 20th century tradition of thought known as phenomenology, we tend to think of Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger as its two main, if not even exclusive, protagonists, in such a way forgetting that phenomenology was primarily (understood as) a “group” enterprise. The aim of the present module is to introduce students to the philosophy of Edith Stein, former assistant of Husserl in Freiburg, editor of both the book known as Ideas II and the lectures on the phenomenology of internal time-consciousness, and by far one of the most original members of the so-called Göttingen phenomenology circle. The major objective of the present module is help students familiarize with the work of one of the first women phenomenologists, whose speculation was undervalued and ignored for too long, even by phenomenology-minded scholars: the reason for this being not only her premature and tragic death (being of Jewish origins, E. Stein was deported to Auschwitz on August 2nd, 1942, and probably executed immediately after her arrival), but also the peculiar nature of her work. Stein strives in fact to combine in a quite unique and innovative way the major findings of Husserlian phenomenology, which she conceives as a descriptive and neutral method to describe the life of consciousness, with traditional metaphysical views, i.e., with ancient Greek philosophy (e.g., Plato and Aristotle) and Medieval thought (e.g., Aquinas).
If the question were “What is Stein’s philosophy all about?”, the answer would be straightforward: the concept of person or, better: the possibility of working out what she would label personalistic ontology. Indeed, from the very beginning of her career as a philosophy and psychology student in Breslau first (Wroclaw), and in Göttingen then, through her posthumously published opus magnum Ewiges und endliches Sein (Eternal and Finite Being), Edith Stein pursued only one main objective: the exploration of all the different (ontological) aspects and elements that make up what a person in general is (both individually and collectively). As a consequence, the present module will provide an overview of the most important aspects of her phenomenological investigation, starting out with both her dissertation on the problem of empathy and her work on the notions of will and motivation (which she understands as the main principles determining our spiritual life). We will then switch to her investigation of the different forms of communal life (i.e., the difference between “community” and “society”) in order to also discuss her contribution to political philosophy strictu sensu (i.e., An Investigation Concerning the State). Finally, we will follow the further developments of her thought in her late, more metaphysical works (such as Potency and Act). 2. Structure
The module will be divided into “three” parts: while the first part will be dedicated to a systematic presentation of the basic concepts and principles of Stein’s philosophy, the second one will concern the way in which they are employed within the wider framework of her “political theory” (broadly construed), that is, within the context of her discussion of the difference between “community” and “society,” “mass”, “collective personality” and “state.” In the last part of the module excerpts will be read from her metaphysical works, with the intention of understanding what kind of role the idea of person plays within her attempt at developing a metaphysical system. 3. Requirements
Students will be evaluated based upon the following two distinct parameters:
(1) Participation (which includes, yet is not limited to: doing the assignments, attendance, in-class active participation). NOTA BENE: "Participation" may also include, depending upon the number of students, a mandatory in-class presentation (more info will be provided in due course) If you are absent, please ask some of your classmates for any assignments or key discussion materials missed.
(2) A Final Paper, whose deadline will be June 10 (prompt and additional information will be provided in due course) (alternative options are: an in-class presentation or a final oral exam (to be discussed with your teacher)) 4. Course Outline
Part 1
(Week 1-Week4)
Main Readings From:
Life in a Jewish Family
On the Problem of Empathy
Philosophy of Psychology and the Humanities
Part 2
(Week 5-Week 8)
Main Readings From:
Philosophy of Psychology and the Humanities
An Investigation Concerning the State
Part 3
(Week 9-Week 12)
Main Readings From:
Potency and Act
Eternal and Finite Being
Recapitulation
(Week 13) 5. Essential Bibliography
Edith Stein: Gesamtausgabe (the entire German edition of her work is available on-line for free on the website of the Edith Stein-Archive: http://www.edith-stein-archiv.de/beispielseite/)
English translations:
• Life in a Jewish Family: Her Unfinished Autobiographical Account, ICS Publications 1986
• On the Problem of Empathy, ICS Publications 1989
• Philosophy of Psychology and the Humanities, ICS Publications 2000
• An Investigation Concerning the State, ICS Publications 2006
• Potency and Act, Studies Toward a Philosophy of Being, ICS Publications 2009
• Finite and Eternal Being, ICS Publications 2002