Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0157 - Philosophy as a Way of Life

Philosophy today is generally conceived and practiced as a purely theoretical discipline dedicated to answering conceptual questions and solving intellectual problems. Yet philosophy began as a practical discipline dedicated to helping human beings live their lives in the fullest and best way possible. In this course, we will read and discuss the work of various philosophers-ancient, modern, and postmodern-for whom philosophy is a practical tool for living. Readings from Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, the Buddha, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Shankara, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Sartre, the Situationists, Singer, Nussbaum, and West.

Culture, Humanities, and Languages Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research In this course, students are expected to spend approximately 6 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.