Nietzsche and Critics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Standard

An average of 8.5 hours each week

None.

None.

One of the following subjects is recommended but not required:

Students who have completed 161-232 or 672-359 'Nietzsche and Hegel' are not permitted to enrol in this subject.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Much philosophy in 19th century Europe reflects almost unlimited confidence in the power of reason to master not only the natural world, but the human world as well. Alongside this confidence, however, there exists deep scepticism about reason, even hostility towards it. A central figure in the second camp is Nietzsche. This course explores Nietzsche's attacks on reason in relation to one or more other philosophers who centralise reason in a way to which Nietzsche is hostile. The other philosopher(s) will usually be from the 19th century eg Kant or Hegel or Schiller, but may also be a figure from elsewhere in the history of philosophy who matters to Nietzsche's radical critique, for example Socrates.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• understand some of the key themes of Nietzsche's thought.
• have developed a deeper understanding of some of the philosophical ideas against which Nietzsche was reacting.
• be able to bring to bear this understanding on their other studies, inside and outside philosophy.

A written assignment of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester), a 2-hour closed-book written examination 50% (due at the end of semester).

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 75% tutorial participation. Regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. After 5 working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available at the start of semester.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• develop their ability to think critically.
• be able to express their ideas more clearly.
• develop a sense of where the limits of philosophical argument lie.