Literature and Philosophy

Three Stories of Childhood:  Babel, Singer and Paley 

Each week we will read one short story about childhood by a Jewish author:  Isaac Babel, Isaac Bashevis Singer, or Grace Paley.  For each story we will explore what is distinctively Jewish about it, and what universal experiences it describes.  We will also talk about the literary devices used by the authors.  Participants do not need to do reading in advance, as all of the stories are very short and we will read them together in class.

 

Jane Austen and Philosophy

Calling all Janeites!   In this interactive discussion class we will apply philosophical questions or ideas to the plots and characters of these beloved novels.  What are some of the different types of injustice, particularly those experienced by women?  What is the definition of a secret, and when is it ethical or unethical to keep secrets?  What is the difference between influence and persuasion?  Is  persuadability a virtue or a vice?  And what would Aristotle say is the correct amount of various virtues, including the virtues of sense, sensibility, pride . . . you get the idea!  

 

This course will largely focus on three novels:  "Pride and Prejudice," "Sense and Sensibility," and "Persuasion."  If you don't want to read (or reread) them, I recommend the following film adaptations which are all available on various streaming sites:  the six-part BBC production of "Pride and Prejudice" starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle; Emma Thompson's film "Sense and Sensibility;" and the BBC film "Persuasion," starring Amanda Root and Ciaran Hinds.  All three were originally shown in 1995.  

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Harry Potter and Philosophy

Multigenerational class!  This interactive discussion class is open to witches, wizards, muggles, and everyone from age 11 to age 111 who loves Harry Potter.  It’s the perfect class to take with friends and relatives who share your fascination with the magical world.

 

Did Dumbledore behave ethically when he was prepared to sacrifice Harry, an innocent teenager, in order to save everyone else?  What did the philosopher Plato have to say about who would make a good leader?  And applying these ideas to various people in the magical world, who would make a good minister of magic?  In what ways does Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry provide an excellent education, and are there ways it is lacking? 

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The Hobbit and Philosophy

In this interactive discussion class we will apply philosophical questions or ideas to the world of "The Hobbit." We will focus on "The Hobbit" itself, and not the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.  Did Bilbo behave ethically in the episode of the Arkenstone?  How does the riddle game played by Bilbo and Gollum help us think about how we interpret language?  Was the Battle of the Five Armies a "Just War?"  And how can possessiveness and greed hurt someone, and those around them?   

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