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Freedom, Alienation and Modern Life - ARTS6731
 Philosophy

   
   
   
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: 30 units of credit at Level 1; Excluded: PHIL2515, ARTS2362
 
 
Equivalent: PHIL2515
 
 
CSS Contribution Charge:Band 1 (more info)
 
   
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
  

Description



This is a hybrid course. It is available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The course content, delivery and assessment will be identical for both groups of students.

Subject Area: Philosophy
This course can also be studied in the following specialisation: European Studies

This course examines what it means to be modern. It also examines both those who problematise the idea of modernity as well as the key critics of modernity. Defenders of modernity argue the rise of scientific rationality has liberated us from nature, the dogmatic authority of religion and tradition and made individual freedom possible for all. Critics of modernity argue the price of this faith in progress has been an alienation from nature, ourselves and a wholesale instrumentalising of nature and humanity. These concerns are central to the philosophical problem of modernity. In this context the course examines the following themes: the critique of instrumental reason, the question of technology, the idea of historical progress, the character of human freedom and the possibility of a postmodern age. These issues are explored in the writings of some of the most well-known figures in European philosophy.

Figures that may be examined include: St Augustine, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Heidegger, Lukács, Arendt, Adorno, and Lyotard.


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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.