PHIL 78.001 – FYS: Death as a Problem for Philosophy: Metaphysical and Ethical

Instructor: Ryan Preston-Roedder. This course meets MW 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. in SM 107.

In this course, we will explore the nature and significance of death by drawing on work in philosophy, literature, psychology, and film. The course addresses four main topics: (1) We will ask whether, and why, death is bad for the person who dies. (2) We will ask whether our grief over the deaths of people who are closest to us, for example, our parents or our romantic partners, helps determine the significance of our relationships with those people. (3) We will ask whether and how our values are shaped by the assumption that others will live on after we die. (4) Finally, we will consider the significance of what happens to our remains after we die.