DOCSLIB.ORG

Towards a Synthesis of Norwegian Ecophilosophy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Towards a Synthesis of Norwegian Ecophilosophy Towards a Synthesis of Norwegian Ecophilosophy Drawing 1: Untitled drawing by Sigmund Kvaløy Setreng. Source: (Kvaløy Setreng 2001a: 0) Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Philosophy in Culture, Environment and Sustainability Submitted by Scott Randall Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM) University of Oslo Blindern, Norway June 18th, 2007 ii Table of Contents: Introduction..................................................................................................................1 Study Period.............................................................................................................5 Structure ...................................................................................................................6 Methodology............................................................................................................9 Approach................................................................................................................10 Crisis, and the Relationship.................................................................................16 Chapter 1: Conception.............................................................................................21 Art, Literature, Exploration, and some Philosophy Intermingled...................25 Unique Norwegian Qualities...............................................................................46 Environmental Crisis and Change ......................................................................50 Chapter 2: Emergence .............................................................................................55 Explicit Ecophilosophy Establishment...............................................................60 Collective Efforts at the Climax..........................................................................67 Beginning Signs of Diversion and Individualistic Ideas..................................76 Chapter 3: Divergence.............................................................................................88 From Collectivism to Individualism to Evolution............................................91 Dissolution and Criticism.....................................................................................99 Chapter 4: Reunion................................................................................................105 Dialog Towards a Synthesized Ecophilosophy...............................................105 Framework of a New Synthesized Ecophilosophical Vision ........................130 Conclusion: A New Story......................................................................................139 Reference List..........................................................................................................142 Index .........................................................................................................................153 iii List of Pictures and Drawings: Drawing 1: Untitled drawing by Sigmund Kvaløy Setreng...................................i Drawing 2: NTK logo ............................................................................................. 23 Picture 1: “Tømmerfløtere i arbeid ved Skøningfossen i Haldenvassdraget” .. 27 Picture 2: “Foss i nedre Telemark” ........................................................................ 28 Drawing 3: Humans fatal evolution...................................................................... 41 Picture 3: Næss being carried away by two policemen at Mardøla.................. 71 Drawing 4: “Life Necessities Society” .................................................................. 82 Drawing 5: “Industrial Growth Society” ............................................................... 83 List of Tables and Figures: Table 1: Summation of Key Ecophilosophical Components from Dialog ...130 Figure 1: Simplified Diagram of Current Relationship and Effects ...............132 Figure 2: Concentric Diagram .............................................................................133 Abstract: Explicit Norwegian ecophilosophy emerged in the late 1960’s as a collective effort for the common purpose of addressing the perceived crisis caused by a faulty human-nature relationship. The emergence was facilitated by factors unique to Norway as well as a rich historic tradition of holistic contemplation of the human-nature relationship, where it was at times mixed with the opposing idea of individualism. The brief climatic emergence was followed by a divergence which suppressed the collective approach, encouraging some independent ideas, leading to the dissolution of the greater ecophilosophical vigor. A renewal of Norwegian ecophilosophical thinking is deemed necessary to address an even greater strained present human-nature relationship; this will be attempted through a reunion of Norwegian ecophilosophy for the purpose of a framework of synthesized thought. iv Acknowledgements: Recently my daughter and I were laying on the couch together, both lazily gazing out the living room window at the fast moving clouds overhead, and she suddenly got a puzzled look on her face and asked me, “Kjører vi Pappa?”. Thanks to Annika for asking those simple but deeper questions, and reminding me that we are also in tandem movement with the world around us. Thanks also to my family in the U.S. and Norway for their continued patience and support in my research of a non-traditional topic that I believe so strongly in. I am forever grateful to my wife Marit for bringing me to such a wonderful country that has given me a new sense of being; My advisor, Peder Anker, has lent invaluable guidance towards the format and content of the Thesis. Thanks for his bright ideas, and most of all for steering me clear of some my original bland thesis ideas, thus fully recognizing my true ambitions; I would like to acknowledge the following for their in-depth discussion(s) regarding the Thesis and its direction: Sigmund Kvaløy Setreng, Per Ingvar Haukeland, and Stephan Harding, and thanks for their time and insight; Sigmund Kvaløy Setreng was also an extreme asset during the editing of Chapter 2, providing specific details unavailable in literature; I would also like to acknowledge the following for their contribution to the Thesis through brief discussions/encounters: David Rothenberg, Espen Gamlund, Per Ariansen, and James Lovelock (the last three through their participation in the Deep Ecology Workgroup at SUM). Rothenberg’s Wisdom in the Open Air publication was the first, and continuing literary inspiration to the Thesis and my interest in Norwegian ecophilosophy; Special thanks is also given to Kit-Fai Næss for her support, and allowing me access to Arne Næss’ office and personal files; The Deep Ecology Workgroup at the University of Oslo has given me a wide- range of ecophilosophical understanding during the final stage of the Thesis, thanks to its members, especially co-founding member Martin Lee Müller, for v expanding my knowledge of Deep Ecology as a movement and philosophy, and for helping me see that it can be reduced to a manageable idea; During the early summer of 2006, Thomas Crowley (Yale student studying Deep Ecology) unknowingly assisted me in getting on the right mental track to start writing the first pages of the Thesis, at a time I desperately needed it…although all we really accomplished were long chess matches; Consideration is given to the main library at the University of Oslo (Georg Sverdrups hus) as well as the National Library (Nasjonalbiblioteket) which are wonderful sources of easily accessible information; Consideration is also given to SUM for being a wonderful multi-disciplinary learning establishment that has well-rounded my environmental education, and matured my direction in the search for an optimal human-nature relationship. Key Words: Norwegian ecophilosophy, environmental crisis, human-nature relationship, systems theory, holism, Deep Ecology, collective thinking, collectivism, individualism, Norwegian nature tradition, scepticism, synthesis philosophy, anthropocentrism, ecocentrism, ecology, Gaia, mountaineering, friluftsliv. vi Introduction Natures entire Aspiration, universal Self-realization, has no other Purpose than Consistency, which makes it completely Durable in Form. Moral, as well as Physical realization consists in the undisturbed Harmony or, in other Words, complete Individuality, where all Parts are so connected, that none are less essential or necessary than the other, and where nothing is left to Chance.1 – Niels Treschow, 1807 (Treschow 1807: 33-34). Precisely 200 year ago, philosopher Niels Treschow began the Norwegian philosophical journey of the deep reflection of the human-nature relationship; his 1807 publication Menneskeværd og Messeskevel (Human Worth and Human Wellbeing) solidified this vision by introducing a new way of examining the changing Norwegian entity – through a presentation of the odd amalgamation of individualism and holism.2 Through this mix, Treschow disclosed the powerful philosophical principle of self-realization, a higher step in human consciousness of understanding one’s place in their surroundings. Ever since Treschow’s early 19th century creation of his Philosophy of Identity, Norwegians have been openly contemplating the human-nature dilemma in literature, but the full supremacy of his eclectic philosophy was not fully apprehended until the latter half of the 20th century. The Thesis relies on the statement: explicit Norwegian
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ernestogreg Dialogue
    Dear Ernesto Here are some thoughts about my increasing unease regarding ‘identity politics’ and the way it is entering public discussions. I am wondering what your responses would be….. I agree there is systemic privilege of particular groups over others and that this can be addressed at the political and social level. We can develop a society that is more open and egalitarian. But how do we do that? In America ‘identity politics’ is consuming the political narrative. Interactions are analysed in terms of who is privileged and who is oppressed. The ‘privileged’ person (based upon someone else’s analysis of their privilege) is almost always assumed to be wrong and their point of view (of whatever issue they are trying to present) invalid. The person from the ‘oppressed category’ of society is automatically right and to be listened to seriously. This form of ‘liberation’ is aggressive, bordering on scapegoating and it is beginning to resemble a witch hunt where only one point of view is tolerated. Any diversity of thought is attacked and silenced, but not just the point of view but the person expressing it. The viewpoint is wrong but so is the person. They are not ‘woke’, not aware, in the grip of their implicit and unconscious privilege. But they are not pitied, they are vilified. Why doesn’t everyone have the “privilege” to insist upon a determination to be heard exactly rather than stereotyped or caricatured. This form of ‘politics', I would say, is an overcorrection and open to abusive manipulation. It seems fuelled by the immediacy and superficiality of social media formats.
    [Show full text]
  • Žižek in the Service of Critical Theology
    Canterbury Christ Church University’s repository of research outputs http://create.canterbury.ac.uk Copyright © and Moral Rights for this thesis are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder/s. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given e.g. Zoltaj, B. (2016) Zizek, Bonhoeffer and the revolutionary body: the sociological potential of critical theology. Ph.D. thesis, Canterbury Christ Church University. Contact: [email protected] ŽIŽEK, BONHOEFFER AND THE REVOLUTIONARY BODY: The Sociological Potential of Critical Theology by Bojan Koltaj Canterbury Christ Church University Thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2016 Acknowledgments I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Graduate School for their award of the University Research Scholarship, which has enabled me to carry out this research. I also wish to thank my supervisory panel, Dr Ralph Norman, Professor Bee Scherer and Professor Robert Beckford, for allowing me the space and freedom I needed and for their continued support and guidance from day one. Abstract This thesis explores the potential that lies in the engagement of critical theory and theology. Rather than a mere demonstration of how theology can be used in the service of critical theory, its original contribution is in the demonstration of theological self- reflective criticality that this engagement brings about.
    [Show full text]
  • Charlie Haden Page 11 News
    JazzWeek with airplay data powered by jazzweek.com • Sept. 8, 2005 Volume 1, Number 41 • $7.95 In This Issue: J@LC Sponsors Concert to Benefit Katrina Victims . 4 Wynton Marsalis Comments . 4 Harry Connick, Jr., Is Habitat Honorary Chair . 5 McBride Tapped for L.A. Phil Jazz Post . 9 Reviews and Picks . 15 Jazz Radio . 18 Smooth Jazz Radio. 23 Radio LIBERATION MUSIC ORCHESTRA Panels. 28 Q&A With Charlie Haden page 11 News. 4 Charts: #1 Jazz Album – Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orch. #1 Smooth Album – Richard Elliot #1 Smooth Single – Richard Elliot JazzWeek This Week EDITOR/PUBLISHER Ed Trefzger MUSIC EDITOR e’ve all watched in horror at the destruction caused Tad Hendrickson by Hurricane Katrina and reacted with some re- CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Wlief as friends, colleagues, and admired musicians Keith Zimmerman have been rescued. While our initial reaction may have Kent Zimmerman CONTRIBUTING WRITER/ been anger, and even perhaps focused on blame, now is PHOTOGRAPHER the time to help out and do what we can to help the peo- Tom Mallison ple of New Orleans and the whole affected Gulf Coast – PHOTOGRAPHY Barry Solof an area the size of Great Britain – to recover and rebuild. Founding Publisher: Tony Gasparre One station with a big task ahead is WWOZ in New ADVERTISING: Call (585) 328-3104 or email: [email protected] Orleans. On the station’s web site, wwoz.org, they are keeping a helpful list of musicians and WWOZ staffers SUBSCRIPTIONS: Prices in US Dollars: Charter Rate: $199.00 per year, who have been found. And on WFMU’s web site (the link JazzWeek w/ Industry Access – Charter Rate: $249.00 per year is at wwoz.org) WWOZ station manager David Freed- To subscribe using Visa/MC/Discover/ man is keeping folks updated on the financial situation AMEX/PayPal go to: http://www.jazzweek.com/account/ and the plans for rebuilding the station and getting it back subscribe.html on the air.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Genealogy of Morality. the Birth of Pessimism in Zapffe’S on the Tragic
    On the Genealogy of Morality... 75 ON THE GENEALOGY OF MORALITY. THE BIRTH OF PESSIMISM IN ZAPFFE’S ON THE TRAGIC SILVIYA SERAFIMOVA Institute for the Study of Societies and Knowledge, BAS [email protected] Abstract This article examines the genealogy of morality, as represented by the Norwegian philosopher and writer Peter Wessel Zapffe, as well as the way it affected the justification of his pessimism, which made him one of the most influential existentialists of the 20th century. Analyzing the complex relationships between so-called biological, social and (autotelic) metaphysical morality, which are explored against the background of four interest fronts (biological, social, autotelic and metaphysical fronts), I will clarify why Zapffe’s pessimism is irreducible to the one displayed by Schopenhauer since Zapffe provides a critical reception of Schopenhauer’s theory of tragic. Key words: Peter Wessel Zapffe, morality, existentialism, pessimism, On the Tragic Regardless of the fact that the conceptions of the Norwegian mountaineer, lawyer, writer and philosopher Peter Wessel Zapffe are not as well-known as the theories of Arne Naess, they had a significant influence on the development of Norwegian existentialism. In this context, we should specify why one should talk about Zapffe’s pessimism rather than Zapffe’s nihilism regardless of Nietzsche’s influence on his views of cultural degrowth, as well as of the possibility to draw some parallels with Nietzsche’s ‘melancholic metaphysics’ [1], as Haave suggests (Haave, 1999, pp. 236-237). Zapffe himself describes Nietzsche’s theory of tragic arguing that his “aesthetic-tragic desire” (“aestetisk-tragiske lyst”) is imprecisely interpreted (Zapffe, 1941, p.
    [Show full text]
  • Crisis & Critique Volume 2 / Issue I, 2015
    C R I S I S & C R I T I Q CRISISU & E V O L. 2 I S S U E CRISIS & CRITIQUE#1 CRITIQUE CRISIS & CRITIQUE VOLUME 2 / ISSUE I, 2015 Dialectical Materialism Collective 1 Some Thoughts on the Divine Ex-sistence C Introduction 216 C R R I Hegelian Christology: From Kojeve to I S 12 Žižek, by Gabriel Tupinambá S I Some Thoughts on the Divine I S S Ex-sistence, by Slavoj Žižek 266 & Fichte in Reverse: From Onto-theology & 36 to Materialist Ontology, by Lidija Šumah C C R Confucius and Chairman Mao: R I Towards a Study of Religion and 284 I T T I Chinese Marxism, by Roland Boer The Problem of Evil and the Problem I Q of Legitimacy: On the Roots Future of Q CRISISU &56 Political Theology, by Adam Kotsko U E E Psychoanalysis, Religion, Love, V by Lorenzo Chiesa 300 V O Mysticism as Radical Political Action, O L. L. 2 76 by Catherine Tomas 2 What is Left to Imagine: The Privation I I S of the Absolute, by Felix Ensslin 326 S S Spirit and Utopia: (German) Idealism asS U 94 Political Theology, by Kirill Chepurin U E E #1 A prolegomena to an Emancipatory #1 Reading of Islam, by Sead Zimeri 350 Romanticism, Marxism and Religion in 114 the “Principle of Hope” of Ernst Bloch, CRISIS & CRITIQUEWhat Christians need no longer de- by Michael Löwy (translated by Rodrigo fend: The political stakes of considering Gonsalves) antinomianism as central to the practice and history of theology, by Colby Dickinson 356 Review articles: 152 J.Read: Initiation a la philosophie pour Revisiting a Marxist Encounter with les non-philosophes, by Louis Althusser Spinoza: Alexandre
    [Show full text]
  • Jazz 90.1 Top 100 for 2005
    Jazz 90.1 Top 100 For 2005 1) Eldar - Sony 2) Joshua Redman Elastic Band - Momentum 3) John Scofield - That’S What I Say:The Music Of Ray Charles - Verve 4) Joey Defranceso & Jimmy Smith - Legacy - Concord 5) Shelly Berg - Blackbird - Concord 6) Curtis Fuller - Keep It Simple - Savant 7) Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane - At Carnegie Hall - Blue Note 8) Paul Anka - Rock Swings - Verve 9) Eddie Palmieri - Listen Here - Concord 10) Wynton Marsalis - Live At The House Of Tribes - Blue Note 11) Gerald Wilson - In My Time - Mack Ave 12) One More - The Music Of Thad Jones - Ipo 13) Tierney Sutton - I’M With The Band - Telarc 14) Curtis Stigers - I Think It’S Going To Rain Today - Concord 15) Monty Alexander - Live At The Iridium - Telarc 16) Sonny Rollins - Without A Song The 9/11 Concert - Concord 17) City Rhythm Orchestra - Vibrant Tones - Limehouse. 18) Ahmad Jamal - After Fjar - Drefus Jazz 19) Terence Blanchard - Flow - Blue Note 20) Dave Brubeck - London Flat, London Sharp - Telarc 21) Joe Lovano - Joyous Encounter - Blue Note 22) Kevin Mahogany - Big Band - Zebra 23) Mulgrew Miller - Live At Yoshi’S Vol Two - Maxjazz 24) Frank Morgan - Raising The Standard - Live At The Jazz Standard Vol 2 - High Note 25) Arturo Sandoval - Live At The Blue Note - Half Note 26) Joe Locke - Rev - Elation - Sharp Nine 27) Frank Mantooth - Ladies Sing For Lovers - Mcg Jazz 28) George Benson - Live - Best Of George Benson - Grp 29) Houston Person - All Soul - Highnote 30) The Five Corners Qunitet - Chasin The Jazz Gone By - Milan 31) George Shearing, Mel Torme
    [Show full text]
  • The Nature of Norway Environmental Crises in Literature
    The Nature of Norway Environmental Crises in Literature Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Philosophy in Culture, Environment and Sustainability Submitted by Tiina Ruohonen Centre for Development and the Environment University of Oslo Blindern, Norway October 2006 Table of Contents iii Acknowledgements v Chapter I: Themes and Theories 1 Introduction 1 The Nature of this Study 4 Chapter II: Native Wood and Way 17 Friluftsliv and the Countercultural Manifesto 17 The Norwegian Impasse 20 Nature is Culture 25 The Lonely Man 28 A Crusade of Existential Nihilism 34 Postscript 37 Chapter III: The Pastoral Recipe 39 The Becoming Body 39 Post-Apocalyptic Vitalism 42 Becoming through Cows, Identity by Dog 45 Amoral Authority 53 The Carnival of Flesh 57 Chapter IV: The Web of Life 59 Holistic Science and Fiction 59 The Apocalyptic End of Man and the Last of the Race 63 Myths of Holism: Ecology and Technology 70 The Dream of Biotic Unity 74 Chapter V: Conclusions and Commentaries 79 The Character of Our Crisis 79 References 89 Literature 89 Film 95 iii iv Acknowledgements I would like to thank everybody at the Centre for Development and the Environment at the University of Oslo. Special thanks to my mentor and supervisor Nina Witoszek. Thanks to Per Ariansen, Arne Kalland, and Frederic Hauge for lending me their time and minds. And thanks to the authors for writing books. Special thanks to my family for support; to Juha; to Ann-Kathrin for opening my eyes to innate nature where there seemed none.
    [Show full text]
  • Problemi International 2018 2.Pdf
    20 Problemi International No. 2 2018 Problemi (Vol. LVI, Nos. 11–12/2018) ISSN 0555–2419 Problemi International (No. 2/2018) Edited by Simon Hajdini Copyedited by Eric Powell Editor-in-chief Alenka Zupančič [email protected] Managing Editor Mladen Dolar [email protected] Editorial Board Miran Božovič, Mladen Dolar, Simon Hajdini, Peter Klepec, Zdravko Kobe, Dragana Kršić, Gregor Moder, Tadej Troha, Alenka Zupančič, Slavoj Žižek. International Advisory Board Bernard Baas (Strasbourg), Alain Badiou (Paris), Rey Chow (Durham), Joan Copjec (Providence), Fredric Jameson (Durham), Catherine Malabou (Kingston, Paris), Robert Pfaller (Vienna), Eric L. Santner (Chicago), Thomas Wallgren (Helsinki). Publisher Društvo za teoretsko psihoanalizo / Society for Theoretical Psychoanalysis Igriška ulica 2 1000 Ljubljana SI – Slovenia EU www.problemi.si Cover Design: AOOA Layout: Klemen Ulčakar Problemi International is distributed free of charge. Table of Contents Slavoj Žižek Ibi Rhodus, Ibi Saltus!. 5 Jean-Pierre Dupuy Nuclear Deterrence and the Metaphysics of Time. 25 Zdravko Kobe Reason Reborn: Pietistic Motifs in Kant’s Moral Philosophy. 57 Jean-Michel Rabaté Laughing with Kafka after Promethean Shame . .89 Lidija Šumah Reason Inclined: Zones of Indifference in Schiller and Kant. .119 Yuval Kremnitzer Inside, The Real: Moses Mendelssohn’s Speculative Realism. .143 Aleš Bunta Self-Evidence Derailed: Descartes’s Cogito and its Anticipations. 165 Todd McGowan The Absent Universal: From the Master Signifier to the Missing Signifier. 195 Jure Simoniti A Certain Logic of Professing Love. 215 Rachel Aumiller Twice Two: Hegel’s Comic Redoubling of Being and Nothing. 253 Benjamin Noys “Freudful Mistakes”: On Forgetting and On Forgetting Psychoanalysis. 279 Abstracts . 297 Notes on Contributors .
    [Show full text]
  • The Return of Mennesket Emosjoner De Ubevisste Kreftene Som Truer Med Å ”Innta Mistisk Forståelse Av Det Å Være Menneske I Verden
    KRITIKK THE RETURN OF Følelser i filosofi, vitenskap og dagligliv Frode Nyeng MENNESKET Abstrakt forlag 2006 - FRODE NYENGS BOK OM FØLELSER ER INTERESSANT, MEN UORIGINAL av Kristian Meisingset Frode Nyeng, født 1970, er førsteamanuensis i filosofi Kunnskapen om døden og mangelen på overbyggende ver- ved Trondheim Økonomiske Høgskole (HiST). I Følelser i distrukturer gjør tragedien til eneste mulige utfall. Sterkere filosofi, vitenskap og dagligliv (heretter Følelser) behandler han motsetning enn mellom dette og Nietszsche skal man lete følelser i en bred filosofisk kontekst. Nyeng står i en dyd- lenge etter. Men noe har de til felles: De er ekstreme. setisk, hermeneutisk tradisjon, med aner tilbake til blant Slike ekstreme posisjoner har definert mye av 1900- andre Aristoteles. For å forstå standpunktet vil jeg innlede tallets filosofi. Det har gått sport i å rive ned mening- med å se på noen filosofiske tenkere i det 19. og 20. århun- skonstruksjoner (strukturalister/ poststrukturalister/ dret Nyeng bruker til å definere egen posisjon. modernister/ postmodernister), og det har blitt lyst død over metafortellinger, kapitalisme, meningstap, forbruke- Brødre, hvor er det vanvidd som skulle egge eder? rkultur, byråkratikultur og elitekultur. I sentrum har et en- Hvor er det lys som skulle slikke eder med sin tunge! somt menneske uten sosiale, meningsfulle eller moralske (Nietzsche 1999, s. 4) holdepunkter stått. På slutten av det 20. århundre fikk den dydsetiske, hermeneutiske tradisjonen en renessanse, med Mot slutten av 1800-tallet gjør Friedrich Nietzsche blant andre Alasdair MacIntyre og Charles Taylor. Etter opprør mot den undertrykkende moralen og mot Gud, i 100 års stormløp mot avgrunnen er mening, moral, au- forsvar for et sterkt menneske med sterke følelser og stor toriteter og mennesker med vanlige følelser og fornuft på selvtillit.
    [Show full text]
  • Poetics, Time and Black Experimental Writing
    After the End of the World: Poetics, Time and Black Experimental Writing by Anthony Reed This thesis/dissertation document has been electronically approved by the following individuals: Farred,Grant Aubrey (Chairperson) Maxwell,Barry Hamilton (Minor Member) Villarejo,Amy (Minor Member) Culler,Jonathan Dwight (Additional Member) AFTER THE END OF THE WORLD: POETICS, TIME, AND BLACK EXPERIMENTAL WRITING A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Cornell University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Anthony Reed August 2010 © 2010 Anthony Reed AFTER THE END OF THE WORLD: POETICS, TIME, AND BLACK EXPERIMENTAL WRITING Anthony Reed, Ph. D. Cornell University 2010 "After the End of the World" is a study of the poetics of experimental writing, focusing on the work of W. E. B. Du Bois, Nathaniel Mackey, Suzan-Lori Parks and Kamau Brathwaite. By thinking form as a locus of political and conceptual contestation and transformation, I seek methods for conceiving politics in literature apart from its references or the identities of authors and characters. Writing in different genres, and with different political investments, each of these authors offers resources for re-imagining community as a project, for thinking the constitution of the self and political subject, and for conceiving politics and literary studies globally. Using a broad conception of literary experimentation as writing that departs from conventional forms and conventional thinking, I emphasize time of reading, among other times. Arguing that conceptions of time tend to be at the heart of political concerns throughout the sites of the African diaspora, this project challenges those notions of black writing that rest on the binary or oppression/resistance.
    [Show full text]
  • University of Waterloo Department of Philosophy PHIL 265 the Existentialist Experience Winter 2017 Tuesday & Thursday 8:30-9
    University of Waterloo Department of Philosophy PHIL 265 The Existentialist Experience Winter 2017 Tuesday & Thursday 8:30-9:50am, Hagey Hall 139 Instructor Information Instructor: Nathan Haydon Office: Hagey Hall 339 Office Hours: Thursday 10:30am-11:30am Email: [email protected] Course Description This course is designed to introduce students to Existentialism. We shall use various types of writ- ings, including novels, to develop the background and generic features of existential thought as well as to critically assess the specific problems and solutions proposed by existentialists. The aim of the course is not just to introduce existentialist ideas, but to stimulate and encourage the development of the student’s own ideas. Course Goals and Learning Outcomes • Read and critically evaluate existentialist writings • Write clear, well-structured explanations and assessments of philosophical arguments • To be able to recognize existentialist themes in contemporary philosophy, along with exis- tentialism’s unique contribution towards resolving certain philosophical problems Required Texts Selections from: • Albert Camus, The Outsider • Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus • Kierkegaard, Fear and Trembling • Nietzsche, The Portable Nietzsche • Additional essays from Peter Wessel Zapffe, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Simone Weil Course Requirements and Assessment Assignments: Four papers due Jan. 26th, Feb. 16th, March 9th, and March 30th. Guidelines for writ- ing these papers and their topics will be handed out in class. Each paper will be roughly 4 pages (~1000 words) in length. 1 Weights: Each paper will count for 23% of the final mark. Note: Class attendance and participation will prove to be a valuable asset when writing papers.
    [Show full text]
  • Peter Wessel Zapffes Evolusjonære Eksistensialisme
    Peter Wessel Zapffes evolusjonære eksistensialisme Peter Wessel Zapffes evolutionary existentialism Navn: Ole Johnny Yttri Veileder: Anne Granberg FILO350 Mastergradsoppgave i filosofi Institutt for filosofi og førstesemesterstudier Universitetet i Bergen Vår 2017 Forord Da har jeg kommet til veis ende for denne gang. Jeg vil takke Universitetet i Bergen for fem fantastiske år. En stor takk til Anne Granberg for gode innspill og veiledning på samtlige av mine større oppgaver. Jeg oppdaget Peter Wessel Zapffe litt ved en tilfeldighet det første året på UiB, og tanken om at "mennesket er et villskudd på livets tre" ble hengende med meg i årene som kom. Dette er mitt bidrag til å forsøke å plassere han i det filosofiske landskapet og gjøre rede for hans originale ideer, som jeg mener fortjener større oppmerksomhet. 2 Forsvinning er dannelse - Tor Ulven 3 Abstract My objective for this dissertation is to derive and justify my thesis that Peter Wessel Zapffe marks an original and distinct direction within the pessimistic tradition I call evolutionary existentialism. I intend to show that his biological method points to a fundamental principle in man that show that the species´ characteristics are unsuitable for the environment it is part of and, that leads Zapffe to the anti-natal conclusion. By including thinkers like Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche I will point out there is not the will, but human characteristics that lead to a negative assessment of life as a whole. I will use David Benatar to show that even in light of modern anti-natal theories, Zapffe still show us a deeper and stronger reason for his decision.
    [Show full text]