COURSES – FALL 2025 / History and Philosophy / EXPLORATIONS IN PHILOSOPHY AND LITERATURE
Coordinators: Larry Shapiro, Steve Allen, Bob Belfort
For each session, we will read an essay, classic short story, or excerpt from a play.
Some of our sessions focus on how philosophy addresses current controversial issues. Some of our sessions focus on writing by classic or contemporary authors addressing questions of perennial concern. All of our sessions feature lively discussions of readings selected for stimulating ideas and insights into social relations and human nature.
B WEEK / THURSDAY / 1:00 – 2:30 PM / IN-PERSON / ROOM 27
| Explorations in Philosophy and Literature | ||
| Date | Facilitator | Title |
| Sep 11 | Larry Shapiro | “What is sentience and what does it have to do with human nature, and why you can’t tickle yourself.” The reading is chapter 12 of An Immense World by Ed Yong. |
| Sep 25 | Steve Allen | Kwame Appiah on the ethics of happiness and well-being |
| Oct 09 | Larry Shapiro | Judith Shklar, “Misanthropy” |
| Oct 23 | Steve Allen | The “Trolley Problem” Revisited with Judith Jarvis Thompson and Tobias Wolf |
| Nov 06 | Larry Shapiro | Philosophy and Music, from Beethoven to Kate Soper |
| Nov 20 | Paul Golomb | Kafka’s Parables and Paradoxes |
| Dec 11 | Steve Allen | Transformative experiences, with L.A. Paul and Agnes Callard |
Other Classes: