Philosophy 244 - Philosophy and Literature

This course examines philosophical questions about and in literature. Can a work of literature also be a work of philosophy? Can literature yield knowledge about the world? Do works of literature have determinate meanings, and if so, how can we know them? Are the author's intentions or identity relevant to how a work is to be interpreted? Can works of literature be immoral? We will study some proposed answers to these questions, critique those proposals, and develop our own arguments. Readings will include both philosophical texts and works of literature. This course teaches philosophical writing.

Prereqs: 4 credits in the Philosophy.