Seminar (SEM)

• Above class open to graduates only

Stanley Cavell was one of the few towering figures in late 20th century analytic philosophy who looked more towards the humanities, film, and literature than towards the sciences. He was both a critic of Ordinary Language Philosophy and a successor to Austin and Wittgenstein. Much of his work concerned issues of knowledge and the way in which epistemological problems can be a (distorted, distorting) reflection of interpersonal concerns and lived experience. Another abiding theme of his work is the yearning for -- and repudiation of -- acknowledgment of others and by others, and a third is the yearning for -- and avoidance of -- love. The seminar will focus on parts I, II, and IV of Cavell's magnum opus The Claim of Reason, with primary emphasis upon his attempts to come to terms with classic epistemological problems concerning other minds and the external world. We will also emphasize his criticisms and use of Austin and Wittgenstein. In addition to The Claim of Reason, readings will be from Wittgenstein and Austin. We will also bring in a little Shakespeare, since The Claim of Reason concludes with a discussion of Othello. If time permits we may also look further at Cavell's engagement with literature (Shakespeare) or with film. The course will be taught as a true seminar: emphasis will be upon shared exploration of Cavell's text and ideas. It will satisfy distribution requirements in epistemology or history of philosophy (Twentieth Century) depending on the topic and approach of the student's term paper.