PH 222 - Philosophical Films

Credits: 4
Able to create strange worlds, but also zoom in on everyday life or out to the broad sweep of history, film is one of the most influential venues for exploring philosophical questions. We will focus less on philosophy of film- where scholars have asked questions about its status as an art form and whether films have authors and narrators- and more on interpreting films that themselves do philosophy, by raising significant questions and helping us see possible answers. Films will be paired with philosophical texts both historical and contemporary. Specific themes (and so films and readings) will vary each semester, but might include the nature of reality, temporality and memory, personal identity, free will, and inequality.

Liberal Arts Perspective(s): Ethics and Values