Skip to main content
KBS_Icon_questionmark link-ico

19th Century Continental Philosophy

Key information

  • Module code:

    6AANA032

  • Level:

    6

  • Semester:

      Autumn

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

This module introduces two of the most influential and subtle of modern philosophers: G.W.F. Hegel and Friedrich Nietzsche. Beginning with a brief overview of Kant’s philosophy, the course examines how Hegel and Nietzsche attempt, in very different ways, to refine, transform, or destroy the legacy of the Enlightenment. The focus, in particular, will be on the conception of the self, of normativity, and of the philosophical method, that emerges from texts such as Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit and Nietzsche’s Genealogy of Morality. All texts will be studied in translation.

For full details:

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/philosophy/modules/level6/6aana032.aspx

Assessment details

Summative assessment: 1 x 3,000 word essay (100%)

Teaching pattern

One one-hour weekly lecture and one one-hour weekly seminar over ten weeks.

Suggested reading list

Kant, ‘An Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment?’ in Kant’s Political Writings ed.Reiss and trans.Nisbet, pp.54-60.

Houlgate, S., An Introduction to Hegel: Freedom, Truth, and History (Oxford: Blackwell 2005), chs.1-2

Stern, R., Routledge Philosophy Guide to Hegel and the Phenomenology of Spirit, (London: Routledge, 2002),

Nietzsche. Beyond Good and Evil, trans.Hollingdale (Penguin: London, 1990) Part 1 ‘On the Prejudices of the Philosophers’.

Nietzsche, Genealogy of Morality, ed.Ansell-Pearson, trans.Diethe (Cambridge: CUP, 2007)

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.