Introduction to Existentialism - Department of Philosophy

Rutgers University Prof. Mark Colby
Fall 2012 Philosophy 268
Introduction to Existentialism
Course Description
This course introduces the modern philosophical movement (or anti-movement) that has
come to be known as “existentialism.” Nothing in Western philosophy is comparable to
existentialism’s obsession with what can be called “the human condition.” Among the many
themes of existentialism are human nature, existence, choice, death, authenticity, meaning
and value, truth, self-deception, the absurd, responsibility, the purpose of life, and what it
means to be human. We shall find that existentialist views are vastly diverse and even
contradictory; indeed, it is not clear whether there is such a thing as existentialism, meaning
a definite movement or school of thought with a specific set of theories—this is itself one
more theme of the course. Despite this, the question of how to live is central to all so-called
“existentialists” and reveals deep similarities between existentialism and the world religions,
as well as deep disagreements over how to answer this question.
Text
Kaufmann, Walter (ed.), Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre (NY: Penguin, 1975)
Course Requirements
(1) Closed-book midterm and final exams are each worth 45% of the course grade, (2) class
participation is worth 10% of the final grade. Students are expected to attend all
classes; if you miss a class, you are required to use the University absence
reporting website at https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/ to indicate the date and
reason for your absence. (An e-mail is automatically sent to me, so you do not need to
notify me.) If you miss more than three classes without documentation, your
course grade will be reduced. Always bring the text to class. Do not repeatedly come
late to class, leave early, or talk to each other during class. Turn all cell phones and beepers
off. No text messaging is allowed. No solid food is allowed.
Course Prerequisites
None. One introductory course in philosophy would be very helpful.
Office Hours
By appointment on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:30-9 a.m. or Tuesdays after 1:55 p.m., in
the student center cafeteria on Douglass. You are encouraged to speak with me about any
aspect of this course in particular or philosophy in general. My e-mail address is
mcolby@rutgers.edu. The philosophy department’s phone number is 732-932-9861.
Date and Reading Assignment
9/4 Introduction: what is existentialism and why should it matter to us?
9/7 Kaufmann, Introduction; Dostoevsky, “Notes From Underground”
9/11 Dostoevsky, “Notes From Underground” (continued)
9/14 Kierkegaard, “‘That Individual’” and “Dread and Freedom”
9/18 Kierkegaard,“Dread and Freedom” (continued) and “Authority”

Introduction to Existentialism
Prof. Colby
Page 2
Date and Reading Assignment
9/21 Kierkegaard, “Authority” (continued) and “Truth is Subjectivity”
9/25 Kierkegaard, “Truth is Subjectivity” (continued)
9/28 Kierkegaard, “Truth is Subjectivity” (continued)
10/2 Kierkegaard, “Truth is Subjectivity” (continued)
10/5 Kierkegaard, “Truth is Subjectivity” (continued)
10/9 Nietzsche, “The Challenge of Every Great Philosophy” and “The Gay Science”
10/12 Nietzsche, “The Gay Science” (continued)
10/16 Nietzsche, “On Free Death” and “The Will to Power”
10/19 Ortega, “Man Has No Nature”
10/23 Ortega, “Man Has No Nature” (continued)
10/26 Midterm exam on Dostoevsky and Kierkegaard
10/30 Sartre, “Portrait of the Antisemite”
11/2 Sartre, “Portrait of the Antisemite” (continued)
11/6 Sartre, “Portrait of the Antisemite” (continued)
11/9 Sartre, “Portrait of the Antisemite” (continued)
11/13 Sartre, “Existentialism is a Humanism”
11/16 Sartre, “Existentialism is a Humanism” (continued)
11/20 Thursday schedule; no class
11/21 Friday schedule; Sartre, “Existentialism is a Humanism” (continued)
11/27 Sartre, “Existentialism is a Humanism” (continued)
11/30 Sartre, “Existentialism is a Humanism” (continued)
12/4 Camus, “The Myth of Sisyphus”
12/7 Camus, “The Myth of Sisyphus” (continued)
12/11 Camus, “The Myth of Sisyphus” (continued)
12/? Final exam on Nietzsche, Ortega, Sartre, and Camus