Description The goal of this course is to introduce students to
profoundly influential works of poetry, drama, philosophy, religion, and
literature. Our focus will be more
philosophical than historical. Students
will gain familiarly with exemplary texts that challenge them to evaluate some
of their most fundamental beliefs. Along
the way, we will explore numerous philosophical questions, including the
following: Can we genuinely believe that
we are going to die? Is it rational to
fear death? Is death bad for the one who
dies? Is any conceivable form of
immortality desirable? Can morality be
grounded in religion? Is evil compatible
with the existence of God? Do we have
reason to act morally? Do we have access to all of our beliefs and desires? Does civilization make us neurotic? Do we have any reason to obey the law? What makes something worthy of worship? Can we make sense of the very idea of
re-incarnation? Assignments |