Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
ATTENTION CE COURS NE SERA PAS ORGANISE EN 2025-2026
Literature and metaphysics
That literature can make us think, and in particular in an philosophical way, is not open to debate. While avoiding the abstract path of conceptual enquiry, writers produce narratives, images and reflections that are all propositions that philosophy can endorse and discuss.
But can literature also make us think in this most abstract dimension of metaphysics or first philosophy? If metaphysics is a certain exploration of the foundations and structures of the world and of human experience, do the novel, the theatre or poetry have the capacity to take us to these distant (and perhaps entirely fictional...) regions, situated beyond concrete life?
The aim of this course is to show that literature is indeed capable of thinking metaphysically, and that its meta-physical commitment can take various forms: by questioning the structures and limits of narrative and fiction, by investigating the significance of writing and reading as forms of alteration of the self, and also by exploring certain fundamental notions that a fable unfolds by dramatising them: existence, desire and the world.
The course will be divided into two parts: 1) a case study of Michel Tournier, a novelist who was also a philosopher and metaphysician, and whose work shows how literature and metaphysics can be interwoven and mutually nourishing; 2) a series of sessions devoted to specific works and themes (metafiction, robinsonade, perversion, time, etc.), led by guests who will share their research with us.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of the course, students should be able to problematise the links between literature and metaphysics and to engage in a philosophical/metaphysical reading of literary works that are susceptible to such an approach.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
not available
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
not available
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
not available
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège
Further information:
See the French version.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Written work / report
Further information:
An essay of max. 25,000 characters (including spaces and notes) on a topic determined in agreement with the teacher.
This paper will analyse a literary text (novel or excerpt from a novel, short story, poetry) to show how it unfolds and sheds light on a philosophical or metaphysical problem. The text may be a work from the bibliography that has already been covered in the course (but the writing should highlight a new aspect) or a work of your choice, in consultation with the teacher.
The assignment is due on Friday 10 January 2024.
ATTENTION CE COURS NE SERA PAS ORGANISE EN 2025-2026
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Course on Tuesday, 13:00-15:00 (Philo I).
Contacts
xxx