Cognitive Science 0275 - Meanings & Values in the World

We will examine diverse concerns regarding work: What is "work"? What significance does it have in our lives? How does work vary across social groups, classes, professions, communities, and traditions? How are individual and group identity related to work? What makes work be regarded as easy or hard, desirable or undesirable, meaningful or meaningless? What virtues and vices are associated with work? What moral rights and obligations are related to work? Is there a right to work, or a right to meaningful work? Is there an obligation to work? How should work-related opportunities, benefits, and burdens be distributed in society? What role(s) does gender play in work? How should work be organized and controlled? How are notions of play, leisure, unemployment, or retirement contrasted with (or related to) work? We will approach these and related concerns through classical and contemporary materials in philosophy, the humanities, and the social sciences. (Prior coursework in philosophy or relevant areas of social science is recommended, but not required.)

Independent Work Writing and Research In this course, students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes reading, writing, research.