Socrates at the Cinema    NEW!

You will examine major topics in philosophy such as what is real; what is the proper relationship between law, morality, and public policy; and how reasonable are we. The Matrix, Citizen Ruth, Gattaca, Monty Python, and the Holy Grail are films we will use to address these questions. You will be presented with a wide range of alternative views on these and other topics and will be encouraged to develop and defend your own point of view. We will not be able to watch entire films during the limited time in class, but suggestions will be made as to films you might enjoy viewing with an eye to the issues raised, and you will be encouraged to suggest films and bring film clips to share that you find effective in raising the issues being discussed in class.

Note: Suggested Readings: Short, basic introductions to issues in Philosophy: (suggest you pick one) Craig, Edward. Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford UP, paperback, 2002 Solomon, Robert C. The Little Philosophy Book. Oxford UP, paperback, 2008 Two extensive versions of our class approach: (if you REALLY want to go deep!) Karofsky, Amy, & Litch, Mary. Philosophy through Film. Routledge, 3rd ed paperback, 2015 (there is a 4th edition, but you might have better luck finding used copies of the 3rd) Kowalski, Dean. Classic Questions and Contemporary Film: An Introduction to Philosophy. Thomson, 10th ed. 2006 (again, newer editions might be harder to find used).