20th century French philosophy

elective courses

The course is intended as a follow-up course to the history of French Philosophy classes from the First Year of studies as it presents a more detailed picture of the 20th century philosophy.

Blended learning
Remote learning

Classes are devoted to selected aspects of Twentieth-Century French philosophy. By reading and analyzing fragments of works of selected thinkers, the students will learn about the main philosophical currents that have developed in France in the XXth century, among others Christian philosophy, existentialism, structuralism, postmodernism.

Classes are devoted to selected aspects of Twentieth-Century French philosophy. By reading and analyzing fragments of works of selected thinkers, the students will learn about the main philosophical currents that have developed in France in the XXth century.

The first half of the century will be represented by the philosophy of Henri Bergson and Vladimir Jankélévitch.

The second half of the century will be represented by Existential philosophy of Jean Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, and by related feminist thoughts of Simone de Beauvoir and Suzanne Lilar.

Gaston Bachelard and Georges Canguilhem will introduce the students to the French philosophy of science.

As part of the philosophy of religion and metaphysics, students will discuss the views of Emmanuel Lévinas, paying attention to the influence of Judaism on his thinking. As for Christian philosophy, they will learn about the personalism of Emmanuel Mounier and (optionally) about neotomism of Etienne Gilson and/or Jacques Maritain.

A more pessimistic, bordeerline nihilistic take on the philosophy of religion will be introduced through the analysis of the thoughts of Emil Cioran, while a more anthropological perspective will be introduced by the study of René Girard.

Another anthropologist, Claude Lévi-Strauss will represent French structuralism. If time allows, then we'll go from structuralism to poststructuralism and deconstruction using the example of Jacques Derrida (optional).

French postmodernism will be discussed on the example of Michel Foucault.

- Antologia fragmentów tekstów omawianych filozofów

- Frédéric Worms, La philosophie en France au XXe siècle. Moments, Paris, 2009

- Jean-François Petit, Histoire de la philosophie française au XXe siècle, Paris, 2009

- Eric Matthews, Twentieth-Century French Philosophy, Oxford, 1996

- Gary Gutting, French Philosophy in the Twentieth Century, Cambridge, 2001

- Alan D. Schrift, Twentieth-Century French Philosophy. Key Themes and Thinkers, Oxford, 2005

- Ian James, Nowa filozofia francuska, Warszawa, 2019

Upon successful completion of the philosophy course in the second year, student has the following skills and knowledge:

- has in-depth knowledge of philosophical currants present in the 20th century France and is able to name their representatives

- uses appropriate terminology in the field of philosophy.

- has systematic knowledge of the processes taking place in the areas of culture, philosophy, history of ideas in France in the 20th century

- can use a variety of sources and ways to search, analyze and select the information necessary for active participation in the course.

- To the extent limited to issues specific to this subject, the lecture implements the following learning outcomes: K_W10, K_U03, K_U04, K_K01, K_K02, K_K04.

Assessment mode: obligatory attendance, active participation in the class, preparing an oral presentation about a chosen philosopher/issue, passing the final test.

Tests will be conducted in stationary and / or remote mode.

Written test, if the classes will be held in the building.

Remote/Oral test if the classes will be held online.

In such case, classes will take place on the zoom.us platform.

Required technical background: internet access, microphone and webcam

The student is entitled to two absences.

None