Course Information

Philosophy. Study the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence.

This ten-week course explores the philosophical significance of chaos. We begin with ancient creation mythologies, which describe the beginning of the Cosmos as a transition from chaos to order. Tiamat, the Mesopotamian Goddess of Chaos is a good example here.

In Greek mythology, chaos is a political and social force: it represents the clash between civilisation and primal urges which may culminate in tragic violence and the disintegration of civic order. However they’re also necessary for a vital, creative society.

The course follows the interconnecting themes of chaos in cosmology, physics, metaphysics, social and political theory, and artistic creativity. Brian Klaas’ book Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters? (2024) provides a contemporary social theory. We conclude with the modern science of Chaos Theory.

Aims

This course aims to explore the fascinating world of ‘chaos’ and provide you with new ways of understanding the physical, social and personal worlds that we must negotiate to live well. Order and stability can be understood as possible only against the background of disorder, which is a creative, dynamic element that contributes to the rich tapestry of existence, reflecting the complexities of the universe we inhabit.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• identify key concepts in the philosophy of chaos, its science, psychology, history and development
• understand the implications of “disorder” for the human condition as expressed by our thought patterns, language, intentionality, creativity and much more
• participate in shared discussions with fellow participants on how life’s unpredictability, chance, and accidents affect the trajectory of our lives
• relate these ideas to your personal, social and relationship situations, and broad cultural issues.

Content

Introduction: Defining the term chaos

The meaning of the word and concept of ‘chaos’ will itself be a central focus. For example, Heraclitus’ famous saying ‘you cannot step into the same river twice’ is equating chaos with perpetual change, which is an inherent aspect of the universe.

In contrast, Hesiod understands chaos as a prior state of primordial being awaiting the formation of Gaea (earth). We will see that some of these ancient meanings have resonances in modern science.

The cosmic dance: How chaos influenced ancient cosmology

The significance of chaos in the creation of the cosmos is multifaceted, influencing not only mythological narratives but also philosophical inquiries into the nature of existence. We will look at a range of ancient cultures for example: Tiamat – the Mesopotamian Goddess of Chaos and Balor, the Celtic God of Chaos.

Influence of chaos on Greek philosophy

In Hesiod’s Theogony, Hesiod portrays chaos as the first entity, a primordial void that gives rise to Gaea (Earth), Tartarus (the Abyss), Eros (Love), and other primordial beings. The Greek tragedies give a social and cultural dimension to the meaning of chaos. It is defined as a state of disorder, confusion, or unpredictability that disrupts the societal and moral order. Chaos underpins the tumultuous nature of human emotions, illustrating the struggles individuals face when confronted with uncontrollable circumstances.

The psychology of pattern seeking

Humans often attribute outcomes to regularity and order, even when chance and contingency have been repeatedly shown to be at least as causally significant. Much human science and psychology have been devoted to this issue. We will consider some of this research. One theory is that the ability to detect patterns, even if they are false, suggests possible actions one might take, offering the illusion of control.

Art, creativity, chaos

This session will consider various theories on the role of chaos in the making of art. One view states: “The role of the artist or poet is not to impose a pre-existing form upon senseless matter but to allow the material to find its own sense. What is primary is what is given, a chaos of meanings which demands assistance in order to come-into-form.” Stephen K. Levine, in Principles and Practice of Expressive Arts Therapy, (2005).

Chaos: Fate, chance and free will

The unpredictability of chaos reflects the complexity of life. Moreover, chaos often represents the tension between fate and free will. Characters grapple with their destinies, revealing the extent to which they can exercise agency in the face of overwhelming odds. In his new book Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters (2024), Brian Klaas raise this issue again in our contemporary context.

Science of chaos theory

Chaos theory describes how small changes to a complex system’s initial conditions can produce dramatically different outcomes. The butterfly effect was most prominently researched by meteorologist Edward Lorenz in the early 1960s. A more accessible example is the pinball machine: the ball’s movements are precisely governed by laws of motion and elastic collisions—both fully understood—yet the final outcome is unpredictable.

Intended audience

Anyone with a general interest in philosophy and the course themes.

Prerequisites

None

Delivery style

Lecture/seminar

Materials

Course handouts and readings are distributed electronically using Dropbox.

Recommended reading

There are no prescribed texts for this course. Some reference works include:

Almqvist, Olaf; Taylor, John; Edwards, Mark. 2022. Cosmos and Creation in Early Greek Theogonies: An Ontological Exploration. London, Bloomsbury Academic.

Bell, Jeffrey A., author. 2020. Philosophy at the Edge of Chaos: Gilles Deleuze and the Philosophy of Difference.

Klaas, Brian. 2024. Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters? Avid Reader.

Mosko, Mark. Damon, Fred (editors). 2005. On the Order of Chaos Social Anthropology and the Science of Chaos. Licensed. Published by Berghahn Books.

Sears, Kathleen. 2013. Mythology 101: from gods and goddesses to monsters and mortals, your guide to ancient mythology. Bloomfield, London.