CLHUMPL002 - Philosophy, Community and Democracy
What can we learn from philosophers about coexisting in an increasingly divided, pluralistic society? What are our responsibilities to each other in a democracy? How should we behave toward those who think radically differently than we do? What duties do we have to support our public institutions and to work together toward a common good? Should the state be neutral about what it means to live a thriving or good life? Should we think of ourselves primarily as citizens and community members of our country, city, or of the world as a whole? Come explore these and related questions with philosopher Dr. Victor Saenz. Through lectures and discussion, gain insights from some of the most influential political philosophers of the 20th and 21st centuries, such as Charles Taylor, Martha Nussbaum, John Rawls, Michael Sandel, Alasdair MacIntyre and more!
Course Details
Victor Saenz, Ph.D., is executive director of the Houston Institute, an academic nonprofit whose mission is to help the people of Rice University think deeply about the best way to live through the study of the liberal arts, especially philosophy and literature. He is also a lecturer in the Department of Philosophy at Rice, where he regularly teaches courses in classical philosophy (especially Plato and Aristotle) and the philosophy of religion. His academic work has appeared in Apeiron, Ancient Philosophy Today, and The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy. Dr. Saenz is currently working on a series of academic articles on Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics.” He also serves as a bioethics scholar at the Paul Ramsey Institute. Dr. Saenz holds a B.A. in philosophy and classics from the University of Notre Dame, an M.A. in philosophy from Texas A&M University, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Rice University.
On Campus
This course will be delivered on campus / in person. Parking and room information will be sent prior to the class start date.
Houston Institute