Philosophy of imagination 3800-NZ-S5-24
The aim of the course is to start to think of the imagination not as a psychological ability to form mental imagery but rather as a semiotic practice to use non-literal language (fictitious, fantastical, metaphorical or symbolic). Regarded in this way, imagination turns out to be a powerful source of human creativity, and the theory of imagination becomes a theory of culture. The adopted perspective will be one of a ‘humanist rationalism’, in contrast to both ‘naturalist rationalism’ and ‘irrationalism (naturalist and humanist)’. The philosophy of imagination presents an axiological individualism and thus it differs from the irrationalism, based on political power, prejudices, persuasion, utopia or egoist entertainment.
Topics for discussion: 1) Psychology vs. semiotics, 2) Ancient philosophy of mind, 3) Myth and poetry, 4) Modern philosophy, 5) Romanticism, 6) Polish philosophy, 7) Phenomenology, 8) Psychoanalysis, 9) Irrationalism, or: Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence.
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Recognizing the activity of imagination in private and social life, and in culture.
Knowing the basic patterns of the functioning of imagination.
Ability to analyze the phenomena of imagination (actions and results).
Friendly life in plurality and diversity of ideas and values.
Assessment criteria
Activity during classes, presentation or essay.
Bibliography
Readings will be consulted with students. Suggestions are listed below (Humanities and rationalism; Classical philosophy of imagination; Non-analytic philosophy and theory of literature; Polish philosophy of imagination; Psychology and semiotics of imagination; Mythology and religion; Mysticism and spiritual knowledge; Irrationalism; Imaginary world of poetry).
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: