2009 Course Handbook
PHIL254: Freedom and Alienation
What does freedom mean to us as modern individuals? Is there more freedom in modern society than in other forms of society? What are the social and political dimensions of our individual freedom? Does modern society in fact increase alienation rather than freedom?
This unit explores these questions by examining the work of key philosophers of the Enlightenment and critics of the modern world such as Kant, Hegel, Marx, and Nietzsche. We shall explore Kant's idea of freedom as moral and individual autonomy, showing its connection with contemporary theories of liberalism and its relevance for current debates in international politics. We then turn to Hegel's critique of the individualist notion of autonomy, and his influential account of the social and political conditions of individual freedom. We revisit recent debates around the Hegelian idea of an alleged "end of history," the historical victory of liberal democracy over other forms of human community. We then examine Marx's critical reception of Kant and Hegel and his radical critique of modern society, focusing on his account of alienation in our social, economic, and political life. Finally, we explore Nietzsche's critical diagnosis of modern culture and society, and consider his challenging response to the problem of overcoming nihilism in modernity.
Throughout the course we aim to highlight the ongoing influence of these important theories of freedom and alienation and to show their continuing relevance for contemporary moral, social, and political problems.
| Credit Points: | 4 |
| Contact Hours: | 3 |
| When Offered: | 2010 - offered in 2010 |
| Staff Contact: | Associate Professor Nicholas Smith |
| Prerequisites: | 12cp or admission to GDipPhil |
| Corequisites: | |
| NCCWs: | |
| Unit Designations: | -- |
| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: |
Department of Philosophy |