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Miami University
Department of Philosophy
PHL 360: Politics, Religion and
Philosophy in The Brothers Karamazov
Fall 2005
MW
Classroom: 301 Laws Hall
Costica Bradatan
Office:
221 Hall Auditorium,
Office
Hours: Tuesday
Office
Phone: (513) 529-4739
Email:
bradatc@muohio.edu
Webpage: http://www.users.muohio.edu/bradatc/
Course Description:
In this course we will be considering The
Brothers Karamazov from the complementary angles of philosophy, theology,
literary theory, and political science. The course will be divided into three
main sections. The first section offers an introduction to the relationship
philosophy-literature in general, and to Dostoevsky as a thinker in particular.
In the second section we will be focusing on the intrinsic qualities of
Dostoevsky’s novel as a writing with a distinct philosophical, political and
theological content. At this stage discussions will be mostly clustered around
Dostoevsky’s dealing with such topics as theodicy, suffering, redemption,
rebirth, quest for earthly paradise, utopia, authenticity, Anti-Christ,
foundations of morality, and other topics. Also, the genesis and structure of The Brothers Karamazov will be discussed
in detail in this section. In the third section of the course, we will be
experimentally considering some of the 20th century developments in
the fields of philosophy, arts, literature, and politics precisely through the
lens of Dostoevsky’s The Brothers
Karamazov. At this stage, the course will briefly explore, from the
particular vantage point provided by Dostoevsky’s novel:
- some figures or schools of thought in the 20th century
philosophy (Existentialism, psychoanalysis, Bakhtin, etc)
- or topics in the 20th
literature (the devil in 20th century fiction, Thomass
Mann’s indebtedness to Dostoevsky)
- some movements or individual thinkers in the 20th century
theology (“the death of God” theology, Soloviev, Berdiaev, the revival of
the Orthodox theology in the 20th century).
- some moments/features of the 20th cinema (for example,
Tarkovsky’s Andrei Rublev)
Course Rationale:
One of the
basic presuppositions of this course is that philosophy is to be found not only
in philosophy books, but also in other places, such as works of fiction. Consequently,
it invites/challenges students to learn how to detect a philosophical content
in non-philosophical situations, how to recognize a philosophical problem when
this is presented in a narrative form, or, in general, when it is displayed
using stylistic modalities that are not practiced anymore by today’s
philosophers (parables, fables, poems, etc.). One of the major scholarly
advantages that such an approach brings forth is that philosophy comes to be
considered in a broader, more comprehensive and pluralistic manner.
At the same
time, another fundamental supposition on which this whole course is based is
that the works of fiction are not confined to the specific study of literary
scholars, but they have to be seen as open, multi-facetious, meaningful in a
variety of ways and useful for a variety of purposes.
Course Goals:
·
The course will familiarize students with some of
Dostoevsky’s works and the fundamental philosophical problems they raise.
·
The course will make students realize the
dialectical relationship between philosophy and literature, how philosophy
overlaps with literature, and how relative disciplinary boundaries sometimes
are.
·
The course will help students understand the major
role that language, style, and writing play in philosophy.
Required Texts:
·
*
Bakhtin, Mihail (1984), Problems of
Dostoevsky’s Poetics, Edited and translated by Caryl; Introduction by Wayne
C. Booth (
·
*
Belknap, Robert (1989), The Structure of the Brothers
Karamazov (
·
*
Belknap, Robert (1990), The Genesis of the Brothers
Karamazov (
·
**
Berdyaev, Nicolas (1984), Dostoevsky. An
Interpretation, Translated by Donald Attwater (
·
* Dostoevsky, Fyodor (1994) Notes from Underground (
·
*
Dostoevsky, Fyodor (2002) The Karamazov
Brothers (
- * Koestler, Arthur
(1968), Darkness at
- ** Miller, Robin
Feuer (1986), Critical Essays on
Dostoevsky (
- * Sandoz, Ellis
(2000), Political Apocalypse. A
Study of Dostoevsky’s Grand Inquisitor (
- ** Soloviev,
Vladimir, A Short Story of the
Anti-Christ
It is recommended that those books marked with an
asterisk (*) be purchased as they will be used more extensively. You should be
able to find them at the MU Bookstores. Items marked with ** are either on electronic
reserve (password: PHL360) or will be
provided by the instructor.
Course Requirements:
- One research paper, developed in three stages
- Oral presentations (at least two)
- Regular attendance and participation in class
- Individual conferences
1. Research paper:
The bulk of the final grade (see below “Grading policy”) will be
determined by the quality of the research paper. This piece is the culmination
of students’ work during the whole semester. It must be on a course-related
topic, designed by the student in consultation with the instructor. The
research paper must be conceived of, structured, developed and written in such
a way as to meet the standards of academic excellence in the humanities, and
following the guidelines for submission of written work listed below. The three
stages for the production of this research paper are: a) Submission of proposed
topic, brief description and basic bibliography (1/2 pages). b) Submission of
the first draft (4/5 pages), and c) Submission of the final draft (8/10 pages),
at the end of the semester, within a portfolio. (For deadlines, please see
“General Schedule of Events” below.)
2. Oral presentation:
Each student is expected to present the reading(s) for at least two sessions
and then briefly conduct the subsequent discussion. A list of topics (readings)
for which students can volunteer will be circulated at the beginning of the
semester. Each oral presentation will be graded and will count toward the final
grade. A good presentation means: a careful reading of the texts in question,
placing these texts within the context of the author’s work, rendering the
material into a coherent, well-structured, and agreeable form, and presenting
it in a clear manner to the other students attending the class. For a good – to
excellent – oral presentation grade, you are encouraged to read as much as you
can by, and about, the author whose texts you decide to present. If you make a
third presentation during the semester (in addition to the first two), that
will be graded separately, and its grade will count toward the final grade,
too. You are encouraged (although not required) to design your research paper
in such a way as to be able to use in it those texts you have read for preparing
your oral presentations.
3. Attendance and
participation in class:
It is imperative that you attend every class. Please do not be late! Any
unexcused absence will have an impact on your class participation/attendance
grade (5% for each absence). After five (5) unexcused absences the instructor
may, at his discretion, recommend the University Registrar to drop the student from the
course. An absence is excused when you provide serious
documented evidence about it (signed note from the physician, signed letter
from the Dean, death notice, etc.) Fore more about class attendance please
consult the 2005-2006 Student Handbook:
http://www.miami.muohio.edu/documents_and_policies/handbook/
(“Class Attendance”). Active participation
in classroom discussions includes (but is not limited to): posing relevant
questions; making informed comments and formulating original points of view,
establishing a fruitful dialogue with the other students during the class, etc.
When formulating your points of view, remarks or comments, please do so in a
respectful manner, in such a way as not to harm the feelings of the other
members of the class.
4. Individual
conferences:
Students are strongly encouraged to discuss with the instructor about any
aspects of their work for this class, and in particular about their research
paper. All students taking this course are encouraged to make appointments with
the instructor in order to discuss issues related to the course. The instructor
may ask you to come in at other times for discussing particular issues. Please
feel free to email the instructor whenever you need to discuss with him aspects
of your work.
As the semester progresses each of you must think of
a topic for your research paper. The topic for this final essay is designed by
you, but must be course-related, and discussed with the instructor (on the
occasion of a conferences or just make an appointment!).
Guidelines for
Submission of Written Work:
·
MLA Citation Style
·
Word-process all written work; handwritten papers
will not be accepted;
·
Use standard font, in 12 point; double-spaced.
·
Number your pages;
·
Staple your pages together;
·
At the top of the first page include your name,
date, and essay title;
·
Proofread and spell-check before bringing any papers
to class.
Please keep copies of the materials you write and
submit for this course as at the end of the term all these materials will be
formally submitted as a portfolio.
The portfolio includes: the notes for your oral presentation, the drafts
commented on, and returned to you, by the instructor, and the final version of
your research. The reason why you are asked to submit a portfolio is that it
helps the instructor evaluate your progress and your work for the course over
the whole semester.
Grading Policy:
·
10% Regular
attendance of seminar meetings.
·
10% Active
participation in classroom discussions
·
20% Oral
presentations
·
20% First
draft of the research paper
·
40% Final
draft of the research paper
The grades for class attendance and participation
will be determined only after all class meetings take place, at the end of
semester. You will learn your oral presentation grade shortly after you give
it. The grade for the research paper will be determined after you submit it,
along with the portfolio.
University Policies and
Regulations:
The instructor of this course respects and upholds University policies
and regulations pertaining to the observation of religious holidays; assistance
available to the physically handicapped, visually and/or hearing impaired
student; plagiarism; sexual harassment; and racial or ethnic discrimination.
All students are advised to become familiar with the respective University
regulations and are encouraged to bring any questions or concerns to the
attention of the instructor.
Students with
Disabilities:
In compliance with the
Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism, or academic theft, is passing off someone else’s work as your
own. Please note: plagiarism simply means using
someone else’s ideas without acknowledging it (no matter if you use that
person’s actual words or not). Regardless of your background, you are
responsible for not plagiarizing. Plagiarism will be prosecuted; it can affect
your permanent record. Being a plagiarizer is incomparably worse than being
unoriginal! For more about plagiarism (and academic dishonesty in general),
please consult 2005-2006 Student Handbook: http://www.miami.muohio.edu/documents_and_policies/handbook/
(“Academic misconduct”)
General Schedule of Events
I. Introductory issues
Week 1:
·
Wednesday (8/24)
o
Topic: Introduction. Overview of the course.
o
Discussion: Philosophy and interdisciplinarity
Week 2:
·
Monday (8/29)
o
Topic: The overlap philosophy/literature. The problem of
genres in philosophy. “Literary genres” in philosophy: dialogue, confession,
poetry, fables. The “philosophical novel”: specifics, examples, techniques.
o
Discussion: Ways of embodying philosophical ideas
o
·
Wednesday (8/31)
o
Topic: The limits of the philosophical discourse. When
words are not enough. Alternative forms of doing philosophy.
o
Movie watching: “The Life of David Gale”
o
Week 3:
·
Tuesday (9/06) (Monday classes meet this day;
Monday is Labor Day)
o
Topic: Philosophy as a “way of life” – philosophy as an
art of dying. Philosophical martyrdom. The concept of “founding murder” in the
history of Western philosophy (Socrates, Bruno, Patocka)
o
Discussion: “The Life of David Gale”
o
·
Wednesday (9/07)
o
Topic: The image of the philosopher in Western literature
(Plato, Voltaire, Dostoevsky, Nietzsche). The philosopher as a literary character.
First encounter with Ivan Karamazov.
o
Discussion: Do philosophers really need to exist “in flesh and
blood”?
o
Week 4:
·
Monday (9/12)
o
Topic: Introduction to
o
Movie watching: “Fyodor Dostoevsky” (Series: Great Russian
writers; 30 min.)
o
·
Wednesday (9/14)
o
Topic: Introduction to Dostoevsky II. Overview of the
main writings and themes. The complexity of his work. Dostoevsky’s late
political views. His religious (Orthodox) background.
o
Discussion: How independent is (can be) one’s work from
his/her personality?
o
Week 5:
·
Monday (9/19)
o
Topic: Dostoevsky and philosophy. Dostoevsky as a
thinker. The influence of his work on the 20th century philosophy. The Brothers Karamazov and philosophy.
o
Discussion: “literary philosophers” and “philosophical
literati”
o
II. The World of The Brothers Karamazov
·
Wednesday (9/21)
o
Topic: The underground man as a predecessor of the
Karamazovs. Solitude and alienation. Meaninglessness. Quest for stable
existential ground.
o
Discussion: The underground man and Ivan Karamazov
o
Week 6:
·
Monday (9/26)
o
Topic: The underground man and us. Dostoevsky as a
visionary thinker.
o
Movie Watching: “Happiness”
o
·
Wednesday (9/28)
o
Topic: Radion Roskolnikov as predecessor of Ivan
Karamazov. “If God is dead, everything is permitted.” Murder as philosophical
(self-)experimentation.
o
Movie watching: “Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment”
(Series: “Ten great writers of the modern world”)
o
Week 7:
·
Monday (10/3)
o
Topic: Complexity of The
Brothers: at once, detective story, philosophical treatise, hagiographical
writing, etc.
o
Discussion: Dostoevsky’s unorthodoxy in using the established
literary genres.
o
·
Wednesday (10/5)
o
Topic: The Karamazov family as a domestic hell.
o
Movie watching: “The Celebration”
o
Deadline!
Submission of topic, brief description and basic
bibliography for the research paper.
Week 8:
·
Monday (10/10)
o
Topic: The genesis of The
Brothers Karamazov I
o
Discussion: Imagination and imitation
o
·
Wednesday (10/12)
o
Topic: The genesis of The
Brothers Karamazov II
o
Discussion: The place of Dostoevsky’s personal experiences in
the novel.
o
Week 9:
·
Monday (10/17)
o
Topic: Polyphony. Dostoevsky’s multiple voices. Bakhtin’s
reading of Dostoevsky. The self and the others. Carnival in The Brothers
o
·
Wednesday (10/19)
o
Topic: Ivan is introduced. The discussion at the
monastery. Ivan the “paradoxalist”: defender of radical theocracy and atheist
at the same time.
o
Why is Ivan holding contradictory views?
o
Week 10:
·
Monday (10/24)
o
Topic: The epistemological
and the ethical corollaries of “If
God does not exist.” Ivan’s godless epistemology. Ivan Karamazov and Kant.
Ivan’s godless epistemology and “the antinomies of pure reason.”
o
Discussion: “If God does not exist, then…” Then what?
o
·
Wednesday (10/26)
o
Topic: Ivan’s Father. The “cosmic farce” argument for the
existence of God.
o
Discussion: How (un)serious is this argument.
o
Week 11:
·
Monday (10/31)
o
Topic: “If God does not exist, then who is laughing at
man?”
o
Movie watching: “The Truman Show”
o
Deadline!
Submission of first draft of the research paper.
·
Wednesday (11/2)
o
Topic: The world as a farce of cruel God. Metaphysical
scandal. Ivan’s Rebellion The suffering of children.
o
Close reading: Chapter “Rebellion”
o
Week 12:
·
Monday (11/7)
o
Topic: The unaccountability of (certain) sufferings. Ivan
returns the ticket.
o
Close reading: Chapter “Rebellion”
o
·
Wednesday (11/9)
o
Topic: The Structure of The Karamazov Brothers
o
Discussion: Dostoevsky the architect
o
Week 13:
·
Monday (11/14)
o
Topic: The Grand Inquisitor I. Freedom as burden. Human
nature and personal freedom.
o
Close
o
·
Wednesday (11/16)
o
Topic: The Grand Inquisitor II. Political theology. Dostoevsky
and the Russian mysticism. Dostoevsky and Soloviev.
o
Close
o
Week 14:
·
Monday (11/21)
o
Topic: The Grand Inquisitor III. The Grand Inquisitor’s perfect
society. The Grand Inquisitor and the totalitarian regimes of the 20th
century.
o
Discussion: “Darkness at
o
Thanksgiving Break
III. After The Brothers Karamazov
Week 15:
·
Monday (11/28)
o
Topic: Dostoevsky and Freud. Dostoevsky and the
existentialists.
o
Discussion: How indebted is Camus to Dostoevsky?
o
·
Wednesday (11/30)
o
Topic: Dostoevsky and Thomas Mann. Dostoevsky and Patocka
o
Discussion: The devil.
o
Week 16:
·
Monday (12/5)
o
Topic: Dostoevsky and Tarkovsky.
o
Movie Watching: “Andrei Rublev”
·
Wednesday (12/7)
o
Topic: Course’s conclusions
o
Course evaluation by students.
Deadline!
Submission of research paper (final version).
