Philosophy Reading Groups
Heidegger Reading Group
We are happy to announce that the Heidegger Reading Group will continue in term 2! This time, we will read a couple of Heidegger’s essays, starting with “What is Metaphysics?” today. We will decide on the other readings successively, but they will for example include ‘On the Essence of Ground’ and the ‘Letter on Humanism’. Everybody is invited to join. Additionally, we will stream the reading group via Microsoft Teams so that Haley Burke can join from Texas; if you cannot attend in person and would like to participate online as well, please get in touch with Frido.
Time: every Monday during term, 5-6.30 p.m. (08. January – 11. March 2024)
Location: FAB1.05
Contact: fridolin.neumann@warwick.ac.uk
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Metaethics Reading Group
This new Reading Group is an informal reading group in metaethics. Many of us are interested in the field, but could do a better job of talking with one another. In addition, Kirk Surgener and Emily Bassett are interested in developing an upper level course in metaethics designed to complement the existing provision. This Reading Group will hopefully get input from Undergraduate students as well as PGs and staff, so that students can meaningfully contribute to the design of the course, following the model of the philosophy of race reading group that Eileen John co-ordinated. The format is quite relaxed - we will meet every other week to discuss a paper which we will all have read ahead of time.
Everyone is very welcome, especially Undergraduate students. We would like UGs to contribute to the selection and presentation of the papers for the second term, so the more who come the better. We’d also be happy to accept sessions led by multiple students.
If anyone has follow up questions, or wishes to talk through an idea for a session, please get in touch with Emily (E.Bassett@warwick.ac.uk) or Kirk (K.A.Surgener@warwick.ac.uk).
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'Afflictions of Mind' Reading Group
We are thrilled to launch a new reading group - 'Afflictions of Mind'. We will be reading and discussing topics in the philosophy of psychiatry, mental health, and ethics in medicine. The group is open to all undergraduates, postgraduates and staff, who are interested in the topics as well as who may have personal experiences. We will be meeting in S0.52, between 14:00-15:30, Wednesdays in weeks 2, 4, 8, and 10 (Term 2).
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/philosophy/research/researchcentres/wma/graduates/afflictionsofmind/
Week 2. Imagination
‘Of the power of imagination’ by Montaigne
Week 4: Addiction
‘Responsibility without Blame for Addiction’ by Hanna Pickard
Week 8: Delusion
‘Derationalizing Delusions’ by V. Bell, N. Raihani, and S. Wilkinson
Week 10: TBC
If you are interested in attending (PDFs of the papers will be provided) or giving a brief presentation of the paper, please email Oscar (Oscar.North-Concar@warwick.ac.uk) or Chenwei (chenwei.nie@warwick.ac.uk).
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The Moral and Political Philosophy Reading Group
This group will focus on reading key Moral and Political philosophical texts. This year we are reading Hegel's Philosophy of Right published in 1821. This work has been described by Stephen Houlgate as 'one of the greatest works of social and political philosophy ever written.' The book traces the true realization of freedom and free will via Hegel's immanent process of dialectics. Arguably, this book is still pertinent and relevant for our times: not only does it acknowledge that freedom can be enhanced by economic opportunities, but, moreover, it recognizes that unregulated capitalism is a cause of alienation, inequality and poverty.
Everybody welcome!
Time and location: Wednesdays, 6pm-7.30pm
Contact: Andrew Paull to receive further information and get the link to participate.
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Borges, Fiction, and Philosophy Reading Group
The short stories of Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) are masterworks of philosophical fiction and so his work has an enduring significance for readers and writers of all kinds since. In this reading group, we will discuss several of these short stories over the second half of term 2 and in term 3. All are welcome. Reading fiction and philosophy can feel like a labyrinth and with Borges as a guide we will, I hope, not get too lost.
The group is planned to be held online on MS teams every Wednesday at 2pm until 3pm. The first session will run in week 5, in which we will discuss the short stories The Aleph and The Zahir. Both can be found in the short story collection that is also titled The Aleph. There are several collections of Borges stories available and acquiring any should be helpful for the reading group. I’ll be reading the English translations in the Penguin modern classics editions, but having any editions should be fine. If you need help finding texts, please email me. No prior familiarity with Borges is required, and all students and staff, in philosophy or otherwise, are welcome.
Time and location: Wednesdays, 2pm-3pm on MS Teams
Contact: James.Roe@warwick.ac.uk for further information and a link to participate.
Wed 27 Oct, '21- |
Moral and Philosophical Reading GroupPlease contact Andrew J Paull for further information. |
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Fri 29 Oct, '21- |
Wittgenstein Reading GroupH0.43 (to join via teams contact Thomas WilliamsWittgenstein is one of the 20th century's most influential philosophers and the source of many divergent reactions and interpretations. This reading group will focus on a close-reading of Philosophical Investigations in the first term (where appropriate dipping into secondary texts in order to interpret certain sections.) Depending on how far we get in the first term, we will try to read another Wittgenstein text (up to the groups preference). We will be focusing on reading Wittgenstein's philosophy in itself, rather than his relation to other thinkers and disciplines. We hope to meet weekly, but want to be as flexible as possible. For the first week, we will try to read §§1-45. We suggest the dual language Revised Fourth edition by P. M. S. Hacker and Joachim Schulte, but feel free to use whatever copy is available to you. Please contact Thomas Williams for further information Thomas.Williams.1@warwick.ac.uk |
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Fri 29 Oct, '21- |
Women in the History of Philosophy Reading GroupMS TeamsContact Andrew Cooper for further information. |
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Fri 29 Oct, '21- |
Race and Philosophy Reading Group: IntersectionalityMS TeamsWeek 4: Friday 29 October 2021 - Charles Mills, '"Ideal Theory" as Ideology' For more information (and if you need help joining the Team), contact Eileen John (eileen.john@warwick.ac.uk). |
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Wed 3 Nov, '21- |
Reading Group: Law and Morality in Early 20th Century MarxismMS TeamsLaw and Morality in Early 20th Century Marxism In this reading group, we examine the relationship of law and morality through the eyes of early 20th century Marxist literature. This was a time of acute crisis in Western political history. The workers’ movement was in tumult, with the ruination of the 2nd International, the repression of revolutionary fervour in Europe, and the rise of fascism. As old powers crumbled and others arose, the moral status of law came into focus. A new radicalism asked out loud: Is there anything inherently good about the legal order? In each session, we relate the selected literature to philosophical problems surrounding state, law, and morality. Among other things, we will discuss the critique of natural law, examine the link between history and moral judgments, and have a closer look at the Marxist notion of ideology. No prior knowledge is required; open debate is highly encouraged. Each session will focus on one text (see below). Digital copies of the texts will be provided on Teams, some also in an abridged version (at least one week in advance). Ross or Simon will provide a brief introduction to each text, then there is roughly one hour for discussion. 1st session: 3 November 2021 Karl Marx (1843): “On the Jewish question.” In Marx and Engels Collected Works, vol. 3, 146–174. London: Lawrence & Wishart, 1975.
Ross Ferrara (ross.ferrara@warwick.ac.uk) Simon Gansinger (simon.gansinger@warwick.ac.uk)
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Wed 3 Nov, '21- |
Moral and Philosophical Reading GroupPlease contact Andrew J Paull for further information. |
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Fri 5 Nov, '21- |
Wittgenstein Reading GroupH0.43 (to join via teams contact Thomas Williams)Wittgenstein is one of the 20th century's most influential philosophers and the source of many divergent reactions and interpretations. This reading group will focus on a close-reading of Philosophical Investigations in the first term (where appropriate dipping into secondary texts in order to interpret certain sections.) Depending on how far we get in the first term, we will try to read another Wittgenstein text (up to the groups preference). We will be focusing on reading Wittgenstein's philosophy in itself, rather than his relation to other thinkers and disciplines. We hope to meet weekly, but want to be as flexible as possible. For the first week, we will try to read §§1-45. We suggest the dual language Revised Fourth edition by P. M. S. Hacker and Joachim Schulte, but feel free to use whatever copy is available to you. Please contact Thomas Williams for further information Thomas.Williams.1@warwick.ac.uk |
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Fri 5 Nov, '21- |
Women in the History of Philosophy Reading GroupMS TeamsContact Andrew Cooper for further information. |
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Mon 8 Nov, '21- |
Chinese Philosophy Reading GroupMS Teams |
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Wed 10 Nov, '21- |
Moral and Philosophical Reading GroupPlease contact Andrew J Paull for further information. |
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Fri 12 Nov, '21- |
Wittgenstein Reading GroupH0.43 (to join via teams contact Thomas Williams)Wittgenstein is one of the 20th century's most influential philosophers and the source of many divergent reactions and interpretations. This reading group will focus on a close-reading of Philosophical Investigations in the first term (where appropriate dipping into secondary texts in order to interpret certain sections.) Depending on how far we get in the first term, we will try to read another Wittgenstein text (up to the groups preference). We will be focusing on reading Wittgenstein's philosophy in itself, rather than his relation to other thinkers and disciplines. We hope to meet weekly, but want to be as flexible as possible. For the first week, we will try to read §§1-45. We suggest the dual language Revised Fourth edition by P. M. S. Hacker and Joachim Schulte, but feel free to use whatever copy is available to you. Please contact Thomas Williams for further information Thomas.Williams.1@warwick.ac.uk |
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Fri 12 Nov, '21- |
Women in the History of Philosophy Reading GroupMS TeamsContact Andrew Cooper for further information. |
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Fri 12 Nov, '21- |
Race and Philosophy Reading Group: IntersectionalityMS TeamsWeek 6: Friday 12 November 2021 - The Poetry of Audre Lorde, with an Interview conducted by Karla Hammond For more information (and if you need help joining the Team), contact Eileen John (eileen.john@warwick.ac.uk). |
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Wed 17 Nov, '21- |
Reading Group: Law and Morality in Early 20th Century MarxismMS Teams2nd session: 17 November 2021 Karl Korsch (1923): Marxism and Philosophy. London: NLB, 1970. |
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Wed 17 Nov, '21- |
Moral and Philosophical Reading GroupPlease contact Andrew J Paull for further information. |
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Fri 19 Nov, '21- |
Wittgenstein Reading GroupH0.43 (to join via teams contact Thomas Williams)Wittgenstein is one of the 20th century's most influential philosophers and the source of many divergent reactions and interpretations. This reading group will focus on a close-reading of Philosophical Investigations in the first term (where appropriate dipping into secondary texts in order to interpret certain sections.) Depending on how far we get in the first term, we will try to read another Wittgenstein text (up to the groups preference). We will be focusing on reading Wittgenstein's philosophy in itself, rather than his relation to other thinkers and disciplines. We hope to meet weekly, but want to be as flexible as possible. For the first week, we will try to read §§1-45. We suggest the dual language Revised Fourth edition by P. M. S. Hacker and Joachim Schulte, but feel free to use whatever copy is available to you. Please contact Thomas Williams for further information Thomas.Williams.1@warwick.ac.uk |
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Fri 19 Nov, '21- |
Women in the History of Philosophy Reading GroupMS TeamsContact Andrew Cooper for further information. |
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Mon 22 Nov, '21- |
Chinese Philosophy Reading GroupMS Teams |
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Wed 24 Nov, '21- |
Reading Group: Law and Morality in Early 20th Century MarxismMS Teams3rd session: 24 November 2021 Evgeny Pashukanis (1924): “Law and morality.” In Law and Marxism: A General Theory, 151–165. London: Ink Links, 1978. |
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Wed 24 Nov, '21- |
Moral and Philosophical Reading GroupPlease contact Andrew J Paull for further information. |
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Fri 26 Nov, '21- |
Wittgenstein Reading GroupH0.43 (to join via teams contact Thomas Williams)Wittgenstein is one of the 20th century's most influential philosophers and the source of many divergent reactions and interpretations. This reading group will focus on a close-reading of Philosophical Investigations in the first term (where appropriate dipping into secondary texts in order to interpret certain sections.) Depending on how far we get in the first term, we will try to read another Wittgenstein text (up to the groups preference). We will be focusing on reading Wittgenstein's philosophy in itself, rather than his relation to other thinkers and disciplines. We hope to meet weekly, but want to be as flexible as possible. For the first week, we will try to read §§1-45. We suggest the dual language Revised Fourth edition by P. M. S. Hacker and Joachim Schulte, but feel free to use whatever copy is available to you. Please contact Thomas Williams for further information Thomas.Williams.1@warwick.ac.uk |
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Fri 26 Nov, '21- |
Women in the History of Philosophy Reading GroupMS TeamsContact Andrew Cooper for further information. |
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Fri 26 Nov, '21- |
Race and Philosophy Reading Group: IntersectionalityMS TeamsWeek 8: Friday 26 November 2021 - Robin Zheng, Chapter 9 Race and Pornography For more information (and if you need help joining the Team), contact Eileen John (eileen.john@warwick.ac.uk). |
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Wed 1 Dec, '21- |
Reading Group: Law and Morality in Early 20th Century MarxismMS Teams4th session: 1 December 2021 Max Horkheimer (1930): “Beginnings of the bourgeois philosophy of history.” In Between Philosophy and Social Science: Selected Early Writings, 335–363 [section on “Natural law and ideology”]. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1993. |
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Wed 1 Dec, '21- |
Moral and Philosophical Reading GroupPlease contact Andrew J Paull for further information. |
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Fri 3 Dec, '21- |
Wittgenstein Reading GroupH0.43 (to join via teams contact Thomas Williams)Wittgenstein is one of the 20th century's most influential philosophers and the source of many divergent reactions and interpretations. This reading group will focus on a close-reading of Philosophical Investigations in the first term (where appropriate dipping into secondary texts in order to interpret certain sections.) Depending on how far we get in the first term, we will try to read another Wittgenstein text (up to the groups preference). We will be focusing on reading Wittgenstein's philosophy in itself, rather than his relation to other thinkers and disciplines. We hope to meet weekly, but want to be as flexible as possible. For the first week, we will try to read §§1-45. We suggest the dual language Revised Fourth edition by P. M. S. Hacker and Joachim Schulte, but feel free to use whatever copy is available to you. Please contact Thomas Williams for further information Thomas.Williams.1@warwick.ac.uk |
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Fri 3 Dec, '21- |
Women in the History of Philosophy Reading GroupMS TeamsContact Andrew Cooper for further information. |
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Mon 6 Dec, '21- |
Chinese Philosophy Reading GroupMS Teams |
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Wed 8 Dec, '21- |
Reading Group: Law and Morality in Early 20th Century MarxismMS Teams5th session: 8 December 2021 Walter Benjamin (1919?): “Critique of Violence.” In Selected Writings, vol. 1, 236–252. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press, 2004. |
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Wed 8 Dec, '21- |
Moral and Philosophical Reading GroupPlease contact Andrew J Paull for further information. |
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Diversity Reading Group List
Start a New Reading Group
If you wish to start a reading group, please complete this form. If you need help booking a room please email philosophyoffice@warwick.ac.uk