Digitale Lehre
[b]Being with the others: On friendship[/b]
[b]Instructor[/b] Önder Özden, PhD
[b]E-mail [/b] onderozden@em.uni-frankfurt.de
[b]The first session will be held online on 22 April 2025, Tuesday between 09:50-11:30; the zoom link will be provided five minutes before the meeting. Thereafter, the seminar will be held in person on Mondays between 09:50-11:30.[/b]
[b]Course Description[/b]:
Supposedly, Aristotle lamented, “O my friends, there is no friend”, which reflects the double impossibility of friendship. The lament seems to imply friendships’s impossible register in political sphere, while also alluding to its elusive nature in the private sphere. How and why does friendship carry such importance when defined by these two impossibilities? Friendship can break down the walls of isolation, which is a significant feature of contemporary society. It provides a link between the private and public realms, a connection that is often considered solely personal but which, with the breakdown of political affiliations, emerges as the only bond capable of transcending confining familial ties.
In this seminar, we will delve into the elusive character of friendship within the philosophical and political register. Working through classical texts and recent reflections on friendship, this seminar will explore the challenging questions that friendship presents, as also suggested in Aristotle’s lament.
[b]Key Themes and Inquiries:[/b]
The ethical and moral dimensions of friendship.
The classifications and types of friendship, as discussed by classical philosophers such as Aristotle and Cicero.
The influence of friendship on civic engagement.
The tension between friendship and enmity, as explored by contemporary philosophers like Derrida.
The connection between neighbourhood and friendship.
As we navigate these themes, we will grapple with the inherent paradoxes and impossibilities of friendship, uncovering the unique space it occupies. Through critical analysis and philosophical discourse, we will aim to shed light on the dual nature of friendship and its enduring importance.
[b]Outcomes:[/b]
By the end of the course, students will possess a nuanced comprehension of the concept of friendship, its politico-philosophical register, and its implications for modern society. They will have the ability to critically analyse how friendship is addressed in contemporary discussions, and to form their own stance on the subject.
[b]Requirements:[/b] Prior knowledge of the history of political ideas is required for this course.
[b]Preparatory readings:[/b]
A.C. Grayling (2013). Friendship. London: Yale University Press.
G. M. Smith, (2019). “Friendship as a Political Concept: A Groundwork for Analysis”. Political Studies Review, 17(1):81-92
[b]Assessment:[/b]
The course is based on active student participation. This entails critically reflating upon the knowledge and articulating own position accordingly. Thus, students are:
a. expected to keep pace with the weekly readings.
b. expected to participate regularly in discussions. This involves asking questions about the reading or answering questions posed by others as well as raising points of agreement or disagreement.
Online-Angebote
moodle
- Lehrende: Önder Özden