GE2021-07
Required Reading:
The Stranger by Albert Camus
The Woman in the Dunes by Kobo Abe
Existentialism Is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre
Existentialism is not just a philosophy; it is the basis of a broader, cultural phenomenon spear-headed by Jean-Paul Sartre and his cohort in the immediate post World War II period. Its penetration has proved far and wide, ranging from politics to literature to music. However, much of the seminal philosophical texts of existentialism (sometimes called a philosopher’s philosophy) are difficult for the laymen tackling it for the first time. An oblique way is to approach existentialism through its literary manifestations. Albert Camus’ "The Stranger" and Kobo Abe’s "The Woman in the Dunes" – one from the Western tradition and one from the East - are excellent starting points. Once we have a feel of the existential phenomenon through literature we can sharpen our understanding with a short, reasonably readable classic philosophical text – "Existentialism Is a Humanism"- by Sartre himself.
As usual, audio-visual elements will form part of the package.
Host: Mr. Peter Lai 黎慶寧先生 (Adjunct Professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration, HKU; the first ‘local’ Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong Government)
Dates: 18/9, 25/9, 2/10, 9/10, 23/10, 30/10 (Sat)
Time: 15:00 – 17:00; 15:00 - 17:30 (2/10)
Venue: GE Gatherland, MB240, 2/F, Main Building
Language: English
Fee: $200 (Enrolled students will receive paperback copies of all three books. A deposit of $100 will be refunded upon full attendance.)
Quota: 10
The Stranger by Albert Camus
The Woman in the Dunes by Kobo Abe
Existentialism Is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre
Existentialism is not just a philosophy; it is the basis of a broader, cultural phenomenon spear
As usual, audio-visual elements will form part of the package.
Host: Mr. Peter Lai 黎慶寧先生 (Adjunct Professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration, HKU; the first ‘local’ Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong Government)
Dates: 18/9, 25/9, 2/10, 9/10, 23/10, 30/10 (Sat)
Time: 15:00 – 17:00; 15:00 - 17:30 (2/10)
Venue: GE Gatherland, MB240, 2/F, Main Building
Language: English
Fee: $200 (Enrolled students will receive paperback copies of all three books. A deposit of $100 will be refunded upon full attendance.)
Quota: 10
Remarks: The registration is full.
Schedule:
| Date | Time | Venue |
| 18 Sep 2021 | 15:00 - 17:00 | GE Gatherland 240 |
| 25 Sep 2021 | 15:00 - 17:00 | GE Gatherland 240 |
| 02 Oct 2021 | 15:00 - 17:30 | GE Gatherland 240 |
| 09 Oct 2021 | 15:00 - 17:00 | GE Gatherland 240 |
| 23 Oct 2021 | 15:00 - 17:00 | GE Gatherland 240 |
| 30 Oct 2021 | 15:00 - 17:00 | GE Gatherland 240 |
Bio of Instructor(s) 導師簡介:
Mr. Peter Lai 黎慶寧先生
After graduating with first-class honours at HKU in 1973, Mr. Lai joined the Hong Kong Government as an Administrative Officer. From 1985 Mr. Lai was almost continuously engaged in Sino-British negotiations on the future arrangements for Hong Kong and was appointed a Member of the Sino-British Land Commission (1991 – 1994). In late 1994 he was appointed the first 'local' Secretary for Security of the Hong Kong Government. He left the civil service on 1 August 1998. Mr. Lai is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Politics and Public Administration, HKU.