Philosophy in Human Nature

What is a human being? Are we essentially physical creatures, or do we have a spiritual aspect? What happens to us when we die? Are human beings basically good or fundamentally wicked? What motivates us? These are just a few of the questions that will be considered in the Philosophy of Human Nature. Students will study the philosophical, theological, sociological and psychological approaches to human nature and consider whether a meaningful definition for what it is to be human can be established. The course proceeds chronologically from the mind/body dualism of Plato, to Freud’s psychoanalysis, considering key thinkers in the western philosophical tradition along the way. The course encourages interdisciplinary thinking and would be of interest to students interested in Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology among other disciplines.