Description
[cross-listed with LIT 3909] In the history of human thought, we can detect four major themes that have conflicted at times, merged at times. These are four clusters of sentiments, ideas, and concepts, rooted in the everyday activities and institutions of humanity. They can be viewed as constellations in a galaxy, grounded in the practical activities of life—the struggle for survival, sensual pleasure, spiritual awe, and rational curiosity. We can label them Contest, Passion, Faith, and Reason. In this course we review representatives and representations of these constellations, including such people as Plato, Sapho, Sun Tzu, Machiavelli, Shakespeare, Nietzsche, Mao Zedong, and others.