Edith Stein’s Phenomenology. An Exploration.

Course Leader: Dr Mette Lebech, Maynooth University
Dates: Wednesdays 7th June, 14th June, 21st June, 28th June 2023
Time: 5:30-7:00pm (BST)
Location: Online (Zoom)

Registration is now closed

Course Summary:

Edith Stein is known to many as their favourite saint. For others, who know she played a crucial role in the phenomenological movement, the cult may get in the way. This course will attempt to introduce layperson and scholar alike to her understanding of phenomenology and to the itinerary that led her to test its limits. We shall look at three of her early works: On the Problem of Empathy, Contributions to the Philosophical Foundation of Psychology and the Humanities, and Freedom and Grace, and discuss her subsequent commitment to Christian Philosophy.

Course Outline:

Week 1: Introduction and On the Problem of Empathy: Blueprint of her entire work (Reading: On the Problem of Empathy, Chapter II, 1-3)
Week 2: Psychic Causality: Stein’s most distinct contribution (Reading: Philosophy of Psychology and the Humanities, I, V, 1-3)
Week 3: Individual and Community: Stein’s most wide-ranging contribution (Reading: Philosophy of Psychology and the Humanities, II, 3 ‘Excursus on Psychic Contagion’)
Week 4: Freedom and Grace: Stein’s most outstanding contribution; discussion and conclusion (No reading, as there is no English translation of Freiheit und Gnade [Freedom and Grace])

• For those who cannot attend a week, there will be a video recording available for 7 days.
• Links to the Teams classroom will be sent out a couple of days before the course starts.

Course requirements:

• No course requirements.
• There are a limited number of places for the course – see ‘Registration’

Course Leader:

Dr. Mette Lebech is Associate Professor at Maynooth University in Ireland, where she has taught since 1998. She has lectured and published widely on human dignity, friendship, and various topics in bioethics and her current research interest is in phenomenological value. Mette is particularly interested in the philosophy of Edith Stein and is a past founding President of the International Association for the Study of the Philosophy of Edith Stein (IASPES). She also cooperatively organised and hosted the international conference Stein’s and Husserl’s intertwined Itineraries 1916-25 in 2021 with the Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists. Together with other scholars, Mette was recently awarded a book series contract with Rowman and Littlefield to edit and publish studies of and companions to the works of Edith Stein, featuring synopses as well as historical and systematic treatments of Stein’s works by Stein scholars.

BSP Online Courses Overview:

The British Society for Phenomenology was founded with the intention of promoting research and awareness in the field of phenomenology and related philosophical ideas. Currently, the society accomplishes these aims through its journal (JBSP), essay prize, impact agenda, podcast, and events.

Online Courses are part of the BSP Events offerings. All courses will focus on phenomenological thinkers or topics and will be taught by experts in the field. Each short course has a total of six hours. The sessions will last 1.5 hours and are held once a week on Microsoft Teams, for four consecutive weeks. This will include a lecture and time for discussion / Q&A. Reading materials or any other course materials will be provided in advance.

The BSP is a not-for-profit organisation and fees charged are to help the society cover the costs of its events, podcast, journal, etc.

Course Fees:

• To attend BSP Events, including our Online Courses, you need to be a member of the BSP.
• For BSP members our online courses cost £25, or a concessionary rate of £15 if eligible. Concessionary rates apply if you are a scholar who is emeritus, independent, student, unwaged, or has financial hardship (including low income, temporary contracts, etc.).
• Non-members can join the BSP and become members to attend a course. The membership fees are £40 per year for a standard membership or £20 for concessionary membership. Once again, concessionary rates apply if you are a scholar who is emeritus, independent, student, unwaged, or has financial hardship (including low income, temporary contracts, etc.). In becoming a member you can attend any of our courses, conferences, or other events during your membership year without having to pay membership fees again. In addition, you will also receive a year’s subscription to the Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology accessed through the portal at Taylor & Francis Online. There are four issues a year, plus you have access to our archive with 50+ years of articles. Details on membership, and how to join, can be found here. You can either join in advance of signing up for the course, or as part of registering for the course.

Registration:

Registration closes midnight Wednesday 31 May 2023, or when all the places are allocated for the course.

Registration is now closed

Registration closed early on Tuesday 30 May 2023 as the course reached full capacity.

More Information:

If you require more information about the course, please contact Zoe Waters, BSP Chair of Online Courses – [email protected].