Philosophical Anthropology

Since the dawn of philosophy as an academic discipline, thinkers have asked what makes a human,  human, is there such a thing as human nature, is it universal or culturally-dependent, are humans really different than the rest of the animal kingdom?

Students in this course will deliberate and expand on some of the main features of human nature and humanness, namely language, historicity, corporeity, consciousness, freedom, and play. Pre-established views will be analyzed and challenged in order for students to form their own understanding of philosophical anthropology.  At the end of this course, students will be able to propose their own personal view of human nature and the philosophical question of the meaning of life.

This course will use a transformative approach to learning. It will be structured around lectures, will include individual text analysis and reflection, supplemented by in-class discussions.  Assessment will be conducted through written exams and class presentations.