Teacher: Campbell, Michael
Course Code: JK09004
Significant life events often have a transformative character, being such that a person emerges from them changed in far-reaching ways.
Religious conversion, becoming a parent, losing a loved one, suffering violence, being culturally displaced: these and similar experiences may deeply alter the fabric of an individual’s way of being in the world. Such events pose a challenge to individualist models of deliberation and self-understanding. After all, how can we have confidence in our decision making capabilities if we cannot be certain that our values will persist into the future? At the same time, the ease with which we identify transformative experiences shows the power of culturally ingrained narratives of transformation, as well as their importance for our sense of the potentialities inherent in human life. We go through life expecting to be changed – sometimes avoiding it, sometimes actively seeking it out. What are the cultural and institutional contexts which make this possible, and what happens when social conditions threaten the cogency of these narratives?
In this course we will approach these issues through a range of texts blending philosophy and anthropology. Classes will include both lectures and small group discussion. We will look at a range of different existentially salient moments which people may go through, and consider the ethical challenges that they pose, utilizing a variety of theoretical lenses to show the complexities of the issues. Students will develop the ability to think critically about difficult topics, to view issues from multiple perspectives, and to approach ethical problems with an awareness of the range and complexity of human experience.
Course Information
Module: Focus 1 – Foundations
CATS Requirements: BA 3rd. year or above
Day/Period: Thu/2
Location: Seminar room 6
Credits: 2
Course Goals
To introduce students to key problems in contemporary ethics and philosophy, especially concerning issues at the interrelation of everyday ethics and rational decision theory.
To develop students’ abilities to read philosophical texts and critique philosophical arguments.
To improve students’ ability to express themselves, both in writing and in conversation.
Course Schedule and Evaluation
For a detailed course schedule, please visit KULASIS.
Students will be evaluated by a final paper of up to 1500 words, written in English.