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Senior Seminar in Philosophy - The Philosophy of Richard Rorty (2025/2026: Semester 1 – Fall)
Course aim
After completing this course students are able to:
- demonstrate depth knowledge of a specific theme or author in philosophy
- write, with supervision, a sophisticated (by undergrad standards) essay on the theme or author of the course.
- Main goal: do independent research on a specialized topic in philosophy.
Relationship between assessment and learning goals:
Paper 1: 40% (LG 1, 2, 3)
Paper 2: 40% (LG 1, 2, 3)
Preparedness, attendance, presentations, and participation: 20% (LG 1, 2, 3)
Course content
Intended for students with a specific interest in advanced research and an eye towards post-graduate studies in philosophy, this course is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to develop greater depth in their philosophical studies.
The course consists of rotating content based on the expertise of philosophy teachers at University College. It is organized thematically, and requires students to follow three seminars of five weeks each treating main categories of philosophical investigation, such as metaphysics, ontology, epistemology, aesthetics, ethics, philosophy of mind, language, religion and science.
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This semester’s senior seminar focuses on the philosophy of Richard Rorty. As one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century, both in analytic and continental circles, and both in- and outside of the academy, Rorty has earned himself a place on anyone’s list of ‘great thinkers’.
In this course we will read a selection of Rorty’s articles and some commentaries by his critics. Topics such as truth, contingency, language, science, objectivity, democracy, citizenship, relativism and pragmatism will be discussed. Some will be more in focus than others.
As Rorty’s thought is becoming increasingly pragmatist during his long career, it is not surprising that he turns his attention to the application of philosophical thought (pragmatism) to real-world issues. To emphasize this trend and to bring to the fore the philosophical arguments that are needed to accomplish this, I shall attempt to offer readings both on the real-world issues, and on the philosophical arguments that are required to tackle these issues in a pragmatist way. This will bring out the great difficulty with pragmatism: no fundamental Truth can be achieved, or even argued for. What does this do to morality, science, and politics?
Format
As this is a level 3 seminar, students are expected to participate in the class. In class we will discuss the texts read and connect them to Rorty’s larger project. The critical commentaries will help to put Rorty’s thought in a broader philosophical perspective and allow us to assess the viability of Rorty’s arguments.
In this course we will read a selection of Rorty’s articles and some commentaries by his critics. Topics such as truth, contingency, language, science, objectivity, democracy, citizenship, relativism and pragmatism will be discussed. Some will be more in focus than others.
As Rorty’s thought is becoming increasingly pragmatist during his long career, it is not surprising that he turns his attention to the application of philosophical thought (pragmatism) to real-world issues. To emphasize this trend and to bring to the fore the philosophical arguments that are needed to accomplish this, I shall attempt to offer readings both on the real-world issues, and on the philosophical arguments that are required to tackle these issues in a pragmatist way. This will bring out the great difficulty with pragmatism: no fundamental Truth can be achieved, or even argued for. What does this do to morality, science, and politics?
Format
As this is a level 3 seminar, students are expected to participate in the class. In class we will discuss the texts read and connect them to Rorty’s larger project. The critical commentaries will help to put Rorty’s thought in a broader philosophical perspective and allow us to assess the viability of Rorty’s arguments.
Instructional formats
UCU hum 3 course
Examination
Preparedness, attendance, presentations, and participation
Required | Weight 20% | ECTS 1.5
Paper I
Required | Weight 40% | ECTS 3
Paper II
Required | Weight 40% | ECTS 3
*midterm FEEDBACK*
Not required
Entry requirements and preknowledge
Entry Requirements
At least one of the following course modules must be completed:
- [UCHUMPHI21] Metaphysics & Epistemology: from Parmenides to Levinas
- [UCHUMPHI23] Twentieth Century Theoretical Philosophy
- [UCHUMPHI25] Who are we? Philosophical views on self and others
- [UCHUMREL24] Ethics and Religion
Preknowledge
No data about preknowledge is available.
Languages
- English
Course Iterations
Related studies
Exams
There is no timetable available of the exams
Required Materials
-
BOEKThe required text by Rorty is Philosophy and Social Hope, Penguin books, 2000 (ISBN 9780140262889)
Recommended Materials
-
ARTIKELENWe will use other texts by Rorty too, but these are freely available through the UU library (published by CUP).
Remarks
Alternates with UCHUMPHI33, UCHUMPHI34 and UCHUMPHI36. Topic changes every edition.
Coördinator
| dr. F.G. van der Burg | F.G.vanderBurg@uu.nl |
Lecturers
| dr. F.G. van der Burg | F.G.vanderBurg@uu.nl |
Enrolment
Attention: this course is not open to students from other faculties, so subsidiary students can't enroll for this course.
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