Saints, Heretics and Atheists: An Historical Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion

Harvard Extension School

PHIL E-101

Section 1

CRN 26638

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Does God exist? What is the nature of evil and where does it come from? Are humans free? Responsible? Immortal? Does it matter? This course explores foundational questions in the philosophy of western religion through the study of classic works by Plato, Augustine of Hippo, Anselm of Canterbury, Ibn Sina, Al-Ghazali, Thomas Aquinas, Blaise Pascal, Baruch Spinoza, David Hume, John Stuart Mill, Friedrich Nietzsche and William James, as well as discussions by contemporary authors such as Pamala Milne, Marilynne Robinson, and Daniel Dennett. Students have the opportunity to reexamine their own views and assumptions about religion in dialogue with great thinkers of the past and present.

Instructor Info

Jeffrey McDonough, PhD

Professor of Philosophy, Harvard University


Meeting Info

1/27 to 5/17

Participation Option: Online Asynchronous

In online asynchronous courses, you are not required to attend class at a particular time. Instead you can complete the course work on your own schedule each week.

Deadlines

Last day to register: January 23, 2025

Notes

The recorded lectures are from the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences companion course Philosophy 31.

Syllabus

All Sections of this Course

CRN Section # Participation Option(s) Instructor Section Status Meets Term Dates
26638 1 Online Asynchronous Jeffrey McDonough Waitlisted Jan 27 to May 17