PH 218 - Existentialisms

Credits: 4
This course explores philosophies of existence that have emerged in response to personal and global crises, such as war, colonialism, poverty, pandemic, exile, and loss or transformation of self. Does human life have inherent value? Is there a human nature and, if so, is it mostly good? To what extent do art, theater, and literature capture the true nature of existence? How do sexism, racism, anti-Semitism, and homophobia affect our possibilities for freedom? To what extent are we responsible for others? Readings may include works by Sartre, Beauvoir, Camus, Merleau-Ponty, Fanon, Wright, Kafka, Agnant, Gordon, Nietzsche, Marcel, Leduc, and Genet.

Liberal Arts Perspective(s): Ethics and Values