Popular Culture & Philosophy: What can Homer Simpson teach me about Socrates?
In the movie The Matrix, we find out that what the characters think is real is actually an illusion created by robots in the future. While the movie can be enjoyed for its special effects and action, it also has brought up the philosophical question: how do we know what is real? Are we in something like the Matrix now? How would we know if we were? Increasingly, fans of television shows and movies are interested in discussing the philosophical issues that these shows bring up. Alongside reading texts in philosophy, we will look at television shows from Seinfeld, to Lost, to Monk, to The Simpsons, to Battlestar Galactica, as well as movies like the Matrix, to see how these shows bring up questions and debates that have been going on for over two thousand years in philosophy. What is it to be human? Does God exist? Is it okay to tell a lie? What is real? We find that philosophy isn’t just an abstract discipline, but is present in our everyday lives including the shows and movies we love watching.
This course is tentatively scheduled to meet on Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m.
Note: Please check the schedule of classes for the most up-to-date information about meeting times, locations, and availability.
About the professor
Dr. Welsh teaches the history of Western philosophy in lower-level courses (such as Western Philosophical Traditions II), and upper-level courses such as Existentialism and Phenomenology and 19th Century Philosophy. She also teaches Feminist Theory and Ethics and the Professions. Her research interests are in empirical research in psychology and philosophy.
Email: talia-welsh@utc.edu
