Questions about the Cosmos. Concept of the Universe from Antiquity to the Present 3800-NZ-M1-26
We live within it as a part of it and seem to know it. However, it is still full of mysteries and enigmas,
just as it was centuries ago. In our classes, we will explore together how many interesting
philosophical questions can be asked about the Cosmos qua cosmos. We will look back to see how
past thinkers (especially the ones from distant epochs!), both scientists and philosophers (especially
philosophers!) grappled with them, where it led them, and whether we understand where we are
going.
As part of the course, we will learn about the current concepts of the Cosmos and what questions still
remain unanswered. We will also explore what the term Cosmos actually means, and even to what
extent it could be real. The very model of conceptualizing the world as cosmos and the various
meanings of this term (including those other than… cosmological ones) will also be addressed. We
will, of course, also explore the classical, highly diverse models of ancient and medieval cosmology,
questioning the status of these models. We will then examine various cosmological shifts (e.g., the
ideas of the first creator of the "Big Bang" in the 13th century; the minor atomistic revolution in the
Renaissance and early modern period; the context of discussions about Newtonian physics; what the
Copernican revolution actually entailed; and what worldview physics is currently constructing).
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
Acquired Knowledge:
- Knows various cosmological concepts and their philosophical interpretations;
- Understands questions posed in relation to the cosmos.
Acquired Skills:
- Formulates philosophical questions within a given subdiscipline of philosophy;
- Identifies similarities and differences between the concepts of the cosmos of various thinkers;
- Identifies characteristic features of the concepts of the cosmos of the most important philosophers;
- Presents key views of the most important philosophers on the cosmos.
Acquired Social Competencies:
- Leads discussions;
- Works in a group.
Assessment criteria
The assessment is based on a written test at the end of the course, supplemented by active
participation in class. Assessment may be also in the form of a class presentation or an essay.
Number of allowed absences per semester: 2
Bibliography
Source texts in (short!) excerpts (in translation!): Hezjod, „Kosmogonia”; Księga Rodzaju;
Kirk/Raven/Schofield, „Filozofia przedsokratejska”; Platon, „Timajos” i „Teajtet”; Arystoteles,
„Metafizyka”, ks. XII i „Fizyka” lub „O niebie”; stoicy, frgm.; Epikur, „List do Herodota”; Filon z
Aleksandrii, „O stworzeniu świata”; św. Augustyn, „Wyznania”, ks. XII; św. Bazyli Wielki, „Homilie
do Heksaemeronu”; Maksym Wyznawca, „Mystagogia”; Awerroes, „Wykład o substancji świata”,
„Przegląd Tom.” 2013; szkoła z Chartres, frgm. ze zbioru „A wszystko to ze zdziwienia”; Robert
Grosseteste, „O świetle albo o pochodzeniu form”; awerroiści łacińscy, frgm.; św. Tomasz z Akwinu,
„O wieczności świata”; I. Newton, „Matematyczne podstawy filozofii naturalnej”;
Selected studies (and as textsbooks for later periods): M. Heller, „Filozofia kosmologii”; H. Paprocki:
„Arche. Rzecz o początku”; A. Kijewska, „Księga Pisma i księga natury”; A. Lovejoy, „Wielki
łańcuch bytu”; S. Greenblatt, „Zwrot. Jak zaczął się renesans”; A. N. Whitehead, „Proces i
rzeczywistość. Esej kosmologiczny”; M. Heller, J. Życiński, „Wszechświat i filozofia”; C. S. Lewis,
„Odrzucony obraz”; H. Blumenberg, „Paradygmaty dla metaforologii”; R. Penrose, „Cykle czasu.
Nowy niezwykły obraz Wszechświata” i „Nowy umysł cesarza. O komputerach, umyśle i prawach
fizyki”.