PHIL 315 Philosophy of Literature

This course offers philosophical readings of literary texts, including novels, plays, and poems.  Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov is a gripping story of murder and romantic rivalries, a wonderfully inventive literary work, and one of the finest philosophical novels ever written.  We will read all of The Brothers Karamazov and discuss some of the main philosophical issues that it addresses.  Course topics will include:  (1) the conflict between faith and reason, and the role -- if any -- that faith occupies in a good life (2) the nature of love, and the meaning and significance of the command to "love your neighbor" (3) what it means for human beings to flourish, and what sort of community makes flourishing possible.  We will also discuss more recent philosophical work and film on related topics. Not open to first year students.