HUMN 5933 - Philosophy of Eros

Why is philosophy an erotic activity, and what are the implications of this insight? We will explore these issues, first, by reading Plato’s erotic dialogues: Lysis, Symposium and Phaedrus. Then we will focus on Freud’s influential (and controversial) appropriation of Plato’s thought in the writings that span his career, from The Interpretation of Dreams (1900) to Civilization and its Discontents (1930) and beyond. Finally, we will survey post-Freudian theories of Eros, such as Michel Foucault’s History of Sexuality, as well as the more recent contributions of thinkers such as Jonathan Lear, Thomas Nagel, Martha Nussbaum and Slavoj Zizek. Cross-listed with PHIL 4933, PHIL 5933, SSCI 5933, and WGST 5933. Semester Hours: 3 to 3