Aesthetics

Inleiding

The course Aesthetics provides you with a global overview of the philosophical sub-discipline of Aesthetics, of its history and development

Content

This module offers an introduction to a diversity of philosophical perspectives on art. Besides the classical points of view of Plato, Aristoteles, Kant, Hegel and Nietzsche, we will focus on 20th century philosophers: Lukacs, Adorno, Benjamin, Jameson, Baudrillard, Lyotard, Derrida, Merleau-Ponty, Deleuze, Badiou and Ranciere. Contrary to philosophy’s traditional derogatory treatment of art, these philosophers have elaborated a new complicity between art and philosophy. Instead of speaking about art, they have started a dialogue between art and philosophy that in some cases even culminates in an aestheticization of thought and a self-reflective turn towards the artificiality of philosophy. The course is organized around three thematic clusters: 1) art and truth; 2) Marxist cultural critique; 3) modernist philosophies of art.

Flipped classroom, this means:
-Obligatory material: videos and primary literature
-Obligatory weekly critical reading response as preparation for the lectures and tutorials
 
Plenary lecture: 1 x per week (3 hrs)
Tutorials: 1 x per week (debate on the basis of the critical reading responses, close-reading exercises, preparatory questions, 2 hrs).

Prior knowledge

No prior knowledge is required.

Language

English; lectures will be recorded.

Period

Bachelor 2, block 4B; 29 May till 1 July 2023

Course guide & literature

Please consult the course guide for the timetable and literature. The timetable will be published by the end of July.