SOC 3090 - Philosophical Foundations of Social Theory

This course pursues the question of the ways in which classical social theory is rooted in, and indebted to, philosophy and metaphysics. This will be shown through four cases: Kant’s “Critique of Pure Reason,” Hegel’s “Phenomenology of Spirit,” Nietzsche’s “Will to Power,” Heidegger’s “Being and Time.” Problems central to all sciences and modes of cognition, such as knowledge & truth, theory & ideology, and agency vs. causality will be covered.

Credits: 3