Last update: doc. ThDr. Jiří Vogel, Th.D. (18.10.2022)
This course surveys the emergence of American philosophy as a reconstruction of empirical thought. Particular
emphasis is given to the philosophical implications of Darwinian Biology, which was the predominate topic of
conversation at the famed Metaphysical Club, from which Radical Empiricism and Pragmatism emerged. The
basic questions include: what is the philosophical upshot of Darwinian biology? What does it mean for a living
thing to have an experience? How does experience become knowledge? Can ‘principles’ evolve? (Not merely the
notion of, but the principles themselves) What is ‘truth’ in an ever-evolving world, and how can we know it? The
upshot of the course is our discussion of the practical use (i.e., truth) offered by this weltanshauung.
Last update: doc. ThDr. Jiří Vogel, Th.D. (18.10.2022)
This course surveys the emergence of American philosophy as a reconstruction of empirical thought. Particular
emphasis is given to the philosophical implications of Darwinian Biology, which was the predominate topic of
conversation at the famed Metaphysical Club, from which Radical Empiricism and Pragmatism emerged. The
basic questions include: what is the philosophical upshot of Darwinian biology? What does it mean for a living
thing to have an experience? How does experience become knowledge? Can ‘principles’ evolve? (Not merely the
notion of, but the principles themselves) What is ‘truth’ in an ever-evolving world, and how can we know it? The
upshot of the course is our discussion of the practical use (i.e., truth) offered by this weltanshauung.
Syllabus -
Last update: doc. ThDr. Jiří Vogel, Th.D. (18.10.2022)
Introduction, The radical reconstruction of Empiricism. Experience as story telling and metaphor as truth - Circles, Emerson. A methodology emerges - The influence of Darwin on philosophy, Dewey. The limits of experience - A world of pure experience, James. A new understanding of truth - The Pragmatist account of truth, James. The limits of knowing - Some consequences of four incapacities claimed for man, Peirce. The radical continuity of Pragmaticism - Synechism and Immortality, Peirce. The radical empirical ontology - Peirce’s philosophy as method, Feibleman. How we experience being - Art as Experience, Dewey. Practical applications of this novel philosophical method - Mustain.
Last update: doc. ThDr. Jiří Vogel, Th.D. (18.10.2022)
Introduction, The radical reconstruction of Empiricism. Experience as story telling and metaphor as truth - Circles, Emerson. A methodology emerges - The influence of Darwin on philosophy, Dewey. The limits of experience - A world of pure experience, James. A new understanding of truth - The Pragmatist account of truth, James. The limits of knowing - Some consequences of four incapacities claimed for man, Peirce. The radical continuity of Pragmaticism - Synechism and Immortality, Peirce. The radical empirical ontology - Peirce’s philosophy as method, Feibleman. How we experience being - Art as Experience, Dewey. Practical applications of this novel philosophical method - Mustain.
Course completion requirements -
Last update: doc. ThDr. Jiří Vogel, Th.D. (18.10.2022)
To get credit for these courses, students must demonstrate competent understanding of the subject material by writing a term paper and passing a final exam. It is presumed that they will participate in class, be able to read and comprehend the course material, and write coherently on the relevant subject. Students will finish these courses having prepared themselves for study abroad.
Last update: doc. ThDr. Jiří Vogel, Th.D. (18.10.2022)
To get credit for these courses, students must demonstrate competent understanding of the subject material by writing a term paper and passing a final exam. It is presumed that they will participate in class, be able to read and comprehend the course material, and write coherently on the relevant subject. Students will finish these courses having prepared themselves for study abroad.
Literature -
Last update: doc. ThDr. Jiří Vogel, Th.D. (18.10.2022)
Readings are drawn from the following sources: Dewey, J. (1934/1958) Art as Experience, NY: Capricorn Books Dewey, J. (1920/1957) Reconstruction in Philosophy (2nd edition), NY: Beacon Press Emerson, R.W. (1841/1983) Essays, NY: Penguin Literary Classics James, W. (1907/2003) Pragmatism, NY: Barnes & Noble Books James, W. (1909/1997) The Meaning of Truth, NY: Prometheus Books James, W. (1912/2003) Essays in Radical Empiricism, Mineola NY: Courier Peirce, C. (1940/1955) Philosophical Writings of Peirce, Buchler, J. (ed) NY: Dover Peirce, C. (1931-1935) The Essential Peirce, Houser, N. and Kloesel, C. (eds) Bloomington: Indiana University Press Peirce, C. (1931-36/1974) The Collected Papers of Charles Peirce, Cambridge MA: Belknap Press
Last update: doc. ThDr. Jiří Vogel, Th.D. (18.10.2022)
Readings are drawn from the following sources: Dewey, J. (1934/1958) Art as Experience, NY: Capricorn Books Dewey, J. (1920/1957) Reconstruction in Philosophy (2nd edition), NY: Beacon Press Emerson, R.W. (1841/1983) Essays, NY: Penguin Literary Classics James, W. (1907/2003) Pragmatism, NY: Barnes & Noble Books James, W. (1909/1997) The Meaning of Truth, NY: Prometheus Books James, W. (1912/2003) Essays in Radical Empiricism, Mineola NY: Courier Peirce, C. (1940/1955) Philosophical Writings of Peirce, Buchler, J. (ed) NY: Dover Peirce, C. (1931-1935) The Essential Peirce, Houser, N. and Kloesel, C. (eds) Bloomington:Indiana University Press Peirce, C. (1931-36/1974) The Collected Papers of Charles Peirce, Cambridge MA: Belknap Press
