Hermeneutics of Vulnerability: What Can We Learn from Adversities? 2300-WK-HoV-OG

ur lecture-course on the hermeneutics of vulnerability reexamines an approach to philosophy as the art of living by posing a fundamental question, “what can we learn from adversities”? Inspired by Martha Nussbaum and Paul Ricoeur, we will address the human condition not as the self-enclosed ego but as a hermeneutically examined life by embracing the truth of lived experience without silencing what seems to be incomprehensible, unpredictable, and inexplicable. Ricoeur’s anthropological shift from l’homme fallible (fallible man) to l’homme capable (capable human being) inspires us to see the coexistence of human weakness and strength. Demystification of our illusions is equally important as the affirmation of our existence if we wish to disclose the truth and meaning of being a human being in the world and confront the ambiguities of living with diversity but also with adversities. With Martha Nussbaum, we can say that “To be a good human being is to have a kind of openness to the world, an ability to trust uncertain things beyond our own control.”

Learning outcomes

Knowledge:
o student is familiar with new literature on the literature as indicated in bibliography
o is familiar with Paul Riceour’s philosophy of education
o knows the state of research in the hermeneutics of education and is able to design an innovative research project
Skills:
o can identify philosophical aspects of education
o can address the importance of feelings (curiosity, patience, courage, uncertainty, self-esteem) and validates them in the process of learning
o has skills in presenting aspects of philosophical hermeneutics in discussing issues in contemporary education in an international setting
o can effectively communicate with other scholars in hermeneutic philosophy and education
o as a creative and insightful student shows depth in thinking and elaborating of original and novel ideas
Social competences:
o appreciates the need to learn to understand one’s life
o can set measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely goals and ways to achieve them in the context of academic, professional, and social activity
o sees the need of dialogue between different academic disciplines and schools of thought

Assessment criteria

Assessment criteria
Students must attend classes, actively participate in discussions, and write a research paper of ca. 2500 words. The grade will be based on the paper 50%. Students should clear their topic with the instructor before writing. Final revised paper due Friday, December 21, 2018. Attendance/ Active in-class participation (50%). Along with the final paper students are required to submit a detailed report about their attendance and self-evaluation of their activity in the class.

Bibliography

Bibliography:
Martha Nussbaum, The Fragility of Goodness. Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001).
Paul Ricoeur, Oneself as Another, trans. Kathleen Blamey (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1992).
- Fallible Man, trans. Charles A. Kelbley with an intro. by Walter J. Lowe (New York: Fordham University Press 1986).
- The Course of Recognition, trans. David Pellauer (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2005).
Andrzej Wiercinski, “Hermeneutic Notion of a Human Being as an Acting and Suffering Person,” Ethics in Progress, 4, no. 2 (2013): 18-33.
- “Paula Ricoeura antropologiczna hermeneutyka osoby jako l’homme capable”, Analiza i Egzystencja 19 (2012): 161-176.

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 2300-WK-HoV-OG in USOSweb