Topic: History of the Ego/ Geschichte des Ichs

Three credit hour course; first meeting: F, 01/15/99, 2:30-5:15, BH 664 (the
class will then decide on a permanent meeting time).

This course examines the emergence and development of the «ego» as
a key player in the 19th century. Put simply: the course wants to show that
the ego has a history. What we call ego - je, I, ich - exists only as far as
it continually proves and expresses itself. Thus, the ego and the subject
derive from different historical and intellectual backgrounds. While the
subject - a central concept of the 18th century Enlightenment - is erected in
opposition to an objective state or a public sphere by having its specific
(«subjective») perspective on the world, the ego lacks any basis
for defining itself in relation to something else. It can only claim itself,
can only posit itself in an act of self-affection. Precisely because the ego
is empty in the act of its establishment, it is constantly in danger of
vanishing and needs to inscribe itself into history in order to perpetuate
itself. We will discuss how this apparent weakness or instability of the ego
leads to its insistence and persistence. Therefore, we can speak of a
«history of the ego» in three senses: as the modus of the ego's
existence, as the history of different forms of ego, and as a history that is
marked by certain formations of self-interest.

The goal of the class is not to apply Freudian, Lacanian or any other theory
to 19th century literature but to analyze those effects and defects that
psychologists like Freud will later on take up and formalize. The class will
emphasize the writings of Goethe, specifically, two of his most influential
works, FAUST, and WILHELM MEISTERS LEHRJAHRE, the prototype of what became
known as the «Bildungsroman». Goethe's text will provide us with
two intertwined motifs that accompany the ich: the search for images that
could manifest the ego and being haunted by doubles. Other readings include
texts by Fichte, Hegel, Kleist, E.T.A. Hoffmann, Mörike, Balzac,
Melville, Nietzsche, and Freud.

Despite the fairly long reading list, the course will take time to carefully
read and examine the works and passages. Each participant is asked to write a
total of 20 pages for the course, divided in as many papers as desired, and to
open the discussion of one class meeting with a short presentation (5-10
minutes). Good German reading knowledge is a prerequisite. Discussion in
German or English.

Texts:
Goethe, IPHIGENIE AUF TAURIS
Goethe, FAUST
Goethe, WILHELM MEISTERS LEHRJAHRE
Kleist, AMPHITRYON
Nietzsche, ALSO SPRACH ZARATHUSTRA
Rogers (ed.), SELF-INTEREST [recommended]