PHIL 302(S) The Concept of Freedom in Hegel and Nietzsche

Hegel pointed out that although freedom is one of our highest values, it is "open to the greatest misconceptions." This remains true today: although appeals to freedom are used to justify governments, institutions, policies, and practices (and to sell cars, soft drinks, and rock 'n' roll), those making and responding to such appeals rarely thematize freedom explicitly, much less adequately. This has the ironic (and perhaps dangerous) consequence of making our culture one in which people follow appeals to freedom unfreely, without knowing what freedom is or why it is worth pursuing. This course will begin with Hegel's Philosophy of Right, which critiques the most powerful "misconceptions" of freedom (those of liberalism and Kant), and develops a new conception that grounds his political philosophy. Then we will turn to Nietzsche, who challenges not only Hegel's particular understanding of political freedom, but the very idea that freedom is primarily a political concept. We will conclude by considering whether and how we might draw on both Hegel and Nietzsche in our own attempts to understand freedom. Requirements: participation, two short papers (4-5 pages), one longer paper (10-12 pages). Prerequisites: Philosophy 101, (Philosophy 201 recommended).

Hour:  DUDLEY