HON 339 - 20th C. Intellectual History

Unit(s): 4

The course takes as its focus the question of how to live an ethical and meaningful life in a world no longer moored to universally accepted transcendental truths. The ancient Greeks called the search for practical wisdom phrónêsis, and modern philosophy has witnessed a renewed interest in practical questions about the art of living. The main reading will be taken from texts by the so-called ‘proto-existentialists,’ Schopenhauer, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, as well as famous twentieth century existentialists such as Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir and other French feminists. Besides European philosophy, the course will also include readings, viewings and presentations from modern and postmodern art, photography, music, film and drama.

Restriction: Course Student Attribute Restricted to Honors (Humanities), and Honors College Curric Priority
College of Arts and Sciences