MY COURSES
1. Myth and Philosophy
This course examines the commonplace and prejudiced view that myth is a primitive, pre-philosophical mode of thinking. Plato's "Phaedrus", where the philosophical vision of the Soul occurs in a mythic form, and the "Republic", wherein Socrates demands that poets be banned from the just city, set up the antitheses within which we can examine the relation of myth to philosophy. Nietzsche's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" testifies to the vitality of myth even in a post-Cartesian world. Socrates' suspicions about myth are borne out in modern times (witness the myth of the master race in Nazi Germany), but ultimately myth remains an unavoidable, powerful and problematic category of human narratives.
2. Epic India
The Mahabharata, India's lengthy epic about a fratricidal battle for power, forms an excellent introduction to Indian philosophies, theologies and arts. In each class, we will read sections from an abridged translation and discuss the choices made by protagonists in light of specific world views. Students will become aware of issues such as early indo-European myth motifs, oral narratives, emergence and effects of writing and transmission, translation and ultimately the role of the epic in shaping modern India's ideology. This course forms an excellent introduction to the philosophy and culture of India.
3. Aphrodite's Argument
This is a course in the relationship of philosophy and "Eros". Readings include selections from pre-Socratic philosophers, Plato's erotic dialogues (Phaedrus and Symposium), very short readings from Augustine, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Nietzche, Foucault, Bataille and Heidegger. The course explores the contribution of erotic love, desire, will, and passion to philosophy. We will argue against the notion that only completely objective, rational, logical argumentation is essential philosophy. We will explore the relation of "pure reason" to gender, sexuality and culture, and challenge the stigmatization of the body in favor of mind. Can philosophy without "philia" ever do justice to our humanity? We will "analyze" some paintings by Botticelli, Cranach and Caravaggio, to help envision "flesh" as a philosophically fecund supplement to reason.
4. Greek Wisdom
Philosophers, poets, writers, scientists, artists and theologians approach the same reality - NATURE, in different ways. But what is nature? And what is our place in nature? In asking this question, we realize that this is not a question like any other: it encompasses the universe, our language and conceptual apparatus and demands a certain ethical attitude.Early Greek Thinkers understood the power, scope and sublimity of this question. They pushed human thinking and language to its very limits: from precise logic to contemplative poetry to emotionally challenging tragedy. In their texts, we recognize the roots of our own intellectual history and the beginnings of our science, philosophy, technology and ethics. In their art, we see the complex inner and outer experiences of humans articulated in a profound way. Their understanding of Nature continues to illuminate and challenge us even today.
By placing gods within nature, these thinkers infuse nature with a dignity, rationality and power. By focusing on our mortal nature, heroism, and the vastness of the universe, Greek thought and tragedy help us experience this nature in its awesome brilliance. We will trace the birth of philosophy against this background of nature, gods and tragedy.
This course is an intellectual adventure: we want to read the Greeks as beyond the boundaries of our departments, majors, nations, identities and received dogmas. In thinking about all that is--nature-- fresh perspectives for our future are possible.
6. Greek Tragedy
An introduction to understanding Greek Tragedy in its philosophical, religious, literary aspects. Brief mention will be made of the various sociological aspects of Greek Tragedy, such as its role in Athenian society and women's role in politics. Greater emphasis will be placed on the lasting relevance of Greek Tragedy to us.
Home