PHIL 112.001 – Making Sense of Ourselves
Instructor: Ben Schwartz. This course meets MWF 9:05 – 9:55 a.m. in CW 105.
In this course, we will examine some influential attempts to understand human beings, our lives, and our moral and political values. Topics will include happiness, virtue, the good life, justice, right & wrong, freedom, love, death, and the meaning of life. To do so, we will read works by authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Mill, Nietzsche, Dostoyevsky, Sartre, and a selection of 20th century philosophers.
The first main objective of this course is to become familiar with a wide range of moral and philosophical questions and views (with the further hope that you may be able to connect these questions to your own life). The second main objective of the course is to learn how to critically evaluate different philosophical arguments and views. This will require developing the ability to clearly defend, verbally and in writing, your position on these topics.