PHGA 7169 The Idea of Transcendental Phenomenology
Professor John Drummond
Fall 2007
Tuesdays 2:00–4:00 pm

This course will investigate the meaning, the nature, and the possibility of transcendental philosophy. In particular, the course will focus on distinguishing both externally and internally. We shall (externally) distinguish transcendental philosophy from a metaphysical approach to consciousness and (internally) distinguish the transcendental philosophies of Kant, Husserl, and Heidegger (of the 1920s). We shall also explore competing conceptions of transcendental philosophy found in 19th-century neo-Kantianism and contemporary analytic philosophy.

This investigation will be ordered around four broad themes:

1. The scope of transcendental philosophy (i.e., for what experiences does transcendental philosophy provide an account).

2. The character of transcendental philosophy.

3. The nature of transcendental subjectivity and transcendental idealism.

4. The possibility of transcendental philosophy (and, in particular, transcendental arguments).

Readings will be drawn from the writings of Immanuel Kant, Edmund Husserl, and Martin Heidegger. In addition, there will be readings drawn from neo-Kantian thought, in particular, some selection of readings representative of Marburg neo-Kantianism (Cohen, Natorp, Cassirer, Hartmann) and Baden neo-Kantianism (Windelband, Rickert, Lask). Finally, there will be readings selected from among contemporary analytic philosophers such as P. F. Strawson, Stephan Körner, Barry Stroud, Eva Schaper, David Bell, Christopher Hookway, Quassim Cassam, and John McDowell.

Students will be expected to take part in in-class presentations and discussion and to write a 20- to 25-page research paper.