Courses - Fall 2009

FSP 111/Mortality, Mind, and the Meaning of Life

This seminar explores some of the oldest, most profound, and most fascinating philosophical and religious questions that human beings have pondered for over 3000 years. As suggested by the title, our course will focus on three main themes:

Mortality:  What is death? Is it a purely physical event? Is death nothing more than cessation of brain activity? Is death a separation of soul and body? Do you survive your physical death by being resurrected or reincarnated?

Mind: What is the mind? Is it a spirit or soul? Can it exist apart from your body? Is your mind something purely physical such as the brain?

Meaning of Life: Is there a meaning or purpose to human life? Is it ultimately devoid of any purpose or meaning? Do we ourselves create whatever meaning or purpose our lives may have? Does human life have a meaning or purpose that we ourselves do not create?