Course: Therapy of the soul as philosophical vocation

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Course title Therapy of the soul as philosophical vocation
Course code KFL/POD
Organizational form of instruction Seminary
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements Course does not contain work placement
Recommended optional programme components None
Course availability The course is available to visiting students
Lecturer(s)
  • Umlauf Václav, MTh. Ph.D.
Course content
Discovery of the soul in archaic Greek thinking, Plato and his teaching about the soul, therapy of the soul (Socrates, Stoics), later development of the soul-therapy in modernity (Kierkegaard, Freud, Patočka, Foucault). 1. Discovery of the soul in Homer, archaic view of body und immortality. 2. The first concept of soul in Pythagoras, Heraclite and truth as aletheia. 3. Therapy of the soul in the Greek tragedy. 4. Plato and the therapy of the soul. 5. The transformation of the therapy in the teaching of Stoa. 6. Birth of spiritual exercises as individual therapy. 7. Birth of free-will problem in late Aristotelism und Platonism. 8. Consolation of the philosophy and modern initiation into wisdom (Boethius). 9. Sickness to death and existential concept of soul-therapy (Kierkegaard). 10. Civilisation and its discontents (Unbehagen in Kultur) and new way of soul-therapy (Nietzsche, Freud). 11. The "technique de soi" as postmodern heritage of Stoics (Foucault). 12. The care of the soul as meaningful life in the history (Patočka). 13. Individual facing death as ultimate challenge (Derrida). 14. Summary.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monological explanation (lecture, presentation,briefing)
  • Class attendance - 28 hours per semester
  • Semestral paper - 50 hours per semester
  • Preparation for credit - 20 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The discovery of the soul and introduction of the term "psyche" into philosophy is considered to be one of the greatest achievements of the Greek civilisation. The stoic schools completed the "therapy of the soul" (discovered by Socrates) by introducing a variety of important subjects: i.e. discovery of individual free-will, self-knowledge and self-control, holistic attitude to cosmos and to universal duties. The therapy of the soul practised in late antiquity made an important contribution to modern human sciences such as psychology and sociology.
The students will acknowledge themselves with the informations acording to the goal and the matter of the course.
Prerequisites
Unspecified

Assessment methods and criteria
Student's performance analysis

An essay (10 up to 15 pages) on the chosen subject to be approved by the lecturer, individual consultation is needed.
Recommended literature
  • Bartoš, Hynek. Studie k homérskému pojetí lidské psychiky a tělesnosti, Electronic Journal of Philosophy. Praha, Vysoká škola ekonomická, 2003.
  • Foucault, Michel. Dějiny sexuality II-III. Praha, Hermann a synové, 2003.
  • Greisch, Jean. Expérience philosophique, exercices spirituels et thérapie de l'âme. Paris, Institut Catholique de Paris, 1996.
  • Hadot, Pierre. Exercices spirituelles et philosophie antique. Paris, Institut d'Études Augustiniens, 1993.
  • Nussbaum, Martha. The Therapy of Desire. Theory and Practice in Hellenistic Ethics. Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1994.
  • Patočka, Jan. Péče o duši III. Praha, OIKOYMENH, 2002.
  • Patočka, Jan. Péče o duši II. Praha, OIKOYMENH, 1999.
  • Patočka, Jan. Péče o duši I. Praha, OIKOYMENH, 1996.
  • Platon. Dialogy. Praha, OIKOYMENH, 2005.
  • Rabbow, Paul. Seelenführung. Methodik der Exerzitien in der Antike. München, Kosel Verlag, 1954.
  • Stavěl, Josef. Antická psychologie. Praha, Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1972.
  • Umlauf, Václav. Evropské cesty k vlastnímu Já. Brno, Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury, 2002.
  • Umlauf, Václav. Terapie duše v antice, in: Ergo, 2/2005,str. 65-73.. Ergo 2/2005, str.65-73. 2005.
  • Umlauf, Václav. Základy antické psychagogie. in: Československá psychologie, 2006/5, str. 463-471. 2006.
  • Voelke, André-Jean. La philosophie comme thérapie de l'âme. Études de philosophie hellénistique. Paris, Édition du Cerf, 1993.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education Study plan (Version): Professional studies for lower-secondary school teachers. (15) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education Study plan (Version): Professional studies for lower-secondary school teachers. (18) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education Study plan (Version): Applied Geography (19) Category: Geography courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education Study plan (Version): Education in Leisure Time (20) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -
Faculty: Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education Study plan (Version): Education in Leisure Time (20) Category: Pedagogy, teacher training and social care - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: -