Aims

The 18th century was a century of important scientific and philosophical changes. This course aims at familiarizing the students with these changes through the analysis of founding texts from the moder era: for example, the personality and work of the physicist and write, Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, will be examined..

Main themes

During the 18th century the evolution of the natural is characterized by methodological renewal: Cartesian rationalism is abandoned to the advantage of the empirical rationalism of Bacon; numerous discoveries are made in the fields of physics (electricity), astronomy, chemistry (Lavoisier) etc. Thanks to the Enlightenment the subject gains its autonomy and frees itself from all tutelary authority. Simultaneously, however, this newly acquired autonomy of the subject is shattered by crises which threaten its psychical stability (e.g. hypochondria as the "disease of the intellectuals").

Content and teaching methods

Content: Based on the work and personality of the physicist and writer G.C. Lichtenberg (1742-1799) this course examines the great changes and important discoveries which took place in philosophy, theology and natural sciences in 18th century Germany:
- the secularisation process in the German "Aufklärung";
- Kant's influence;
- Lichtenberg and the natural sciences of his time;
- Lichtenberg and the physiognomy of Lavater;
- "Spinozism" as a promise of reconciliation between sciences and faith;
- Hypochondria making the "modern subject" insecure.

Method: ex cathedra lectures illustrated by numerous examples discussed and analysed with the students.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Evaluation : Assessment on the basis of a written exam. The student's capacity to writing a text will also be evaluated.

Other credits in programs