PHI 183 Introduction to Existentialism

This class is an introduction to existentialism, one of the most influential intellectual currents of the 20th century. The existentialists' characteristic preoccupations arise from what they see as threats to human freedom arising from such diverse forces as religious conformity, cultural homogenization, unfeeling rationality and mass society. In this course, we will explore the existentialists' philosophical responses to these threats, beginning with the roots of the movement in the 19th century. In addition to philosophical texts, we will read literary texts and watch films in order to familiarize ourselves with the wide range of genres in which existentialist themes are explored.

*Please note: In the Spring term, this course is predominantly taken by CEA students.