Through a series of readings ranging from the ancients to the present day, explore topics including philosophical responses to personal catastrophe, large-scale death and destruction by natural catastrophe, war, and the possibility of mass extinction via climate change. Implicitly involved are discussions of and reflections on free will and determinism, personal ethics, and the morality of good and evil. The overarching goal of this course is to demonstrate philosophy as a practical technology for responding to and dealing with adversity, catastrophe, and calamity.
Department: Philosophy
Location: Florence
Semesters: Fall, Spring
Credits: 3