PL 1110 - Philosophy, Literature, and Democracy

With today’s emphasis on scientific and technological knowledge, it is often easy to neglect or even dismiss the vital role of the humanities in helping us to interpret and understand the experiences that define the human condition by providing us with a context for ethical and moral reflection and deliberation.

With a focus on two key areas within the humanities, philosophy and literature, this course examines one of the most important struggles in the course of human development and history: the struggle to achieve a more just society and world. Bringing together works from both disciplines, readings will chart the development of our democratic ideals, demonstrating the role of philosophy and literature in shaping our most important ideas of human dignity and justice. (4 credits)