RP347: The Good Life

Class Program

Credits 4

What does it mean to be human? What makes us truly happy? What is a good life and how do we achieve it? These are some of life's most important questions. This class will help answer them by surveying the history if philosophy from around the globe. Seeking insights from the Ancient Gods, Eastern traditions like Buddhism and Confucianism, and modern European philosophy, we will comparatively explore how history's greatest thinkers have approached the meaning of life. Most importantly, we will discuss the relevance of these approaches to our lives today. Can philosophy and Ancient figures like Socrates really help us become better and more fulfilled people? Yes! This class will demonstrate how.

This course will explore the intersections between ecology and ethics. Through both theoretical readings in moral philosophy and topic-based readings on particular environmental issues, students will engage in serious reflection on the obligations that we have toward the natural world. In addition to traditional coursework, students will also undertake a major, hands-on project that explores a substantial ecological issue in the Wilmington and/or tri-state area.

Prerequisites

EN101 or EN103H