John Dorsch Book order

Alasdair Gray challenges the label of postmodernism often attributed to him, expressing skepticism about the concept in a letter to Dietmar Böhnke. He critiques the idea as a construct of scholars seeking to define a literary territory. This seminar paper, graded highly at the University of Tubingen, explores Gray's views and positions within the context of postmodern literature, particularly in relation to other authors like those in "Dubliners" and "Glaswegians." The analysis highlights the complexities of literary classification and authorial intent.

Focusing on Käte Hamburger's insights, this essay explores Rilke's epistemological theory through the lens of cognitive phenomenology. It engages with the philosophical themes of the 20th century, particularly in relation to Husserl's Logical Investigations. The work aims to deepen the understanding of how Rilke's ideas intersect with contemporary philosophical discourse, offering a nuanced analysis that bridges literature and philosophy.

The exploration of Hegel's "Phenomenology of Spirit" focuses on the intricate transition from consciousness to self-consciousness, highlighting its complexity and significance. Key concepts such as life, independence, desire, recognition, and the infinite are critically analyzed to provide a deeper understanding of this philosophical shift. The paper emphasizes the essential role this transition plays in Hegel's work, showcasing its influential nature within 19th-century philosophy.

The paper explores the surprising similarities between Hegel and Frege, suggesting that their philosophical contributions to continental and analytic traditions are more aligned than previously recognized. By comparing Hegel's "Differenzschrift" with Frege's works on language, the author argues that both philosophers address the cognitive nuances of identity, leading to a shared understanding of pragmatics and semantics. The discussion includes an analytic interpretation of Hegel's Absolute Identity, framed through the lens of semantic and pragmatic constraints that assess propositional content.

The exploration of dishabituation experiments reveals insights into infant cognition, particularly regarding their expectations and behaviors. Stephen Butterfill proposes a theory of phenomenal expectations, arguing it explains infants' responses in anticipatory looking experiments while addressing the gap between propositional thought and mindless behavior. The paper discusses the relevance of core knowledge in understanding these experiments and examines how phenomenal expectations can be integrated into perception theories, ultimately assessing their effectiveness in overcoming philosophical challenges.