Philosophy

Considered one of the founding thinkers of what would eventually be called “existential philosophy,” Friedrich Nietzsche’s attempt to destroy the tradition of philosophy anticipates not only many themes in post - WW II Continental thought, but also those now flourishing in postmodern philosophy. This course will concentrate on one of the better known and central features of his philosophy, namely, his critique of Christianity. This approach allows us access to his criticism of Western Philosophy; the basis for his attack on modernity. Some of the central concerns will be Nietzsche’s portrait of Jesus of Nazareth, view of Plato’s philosophy as symptomatic of a cultural illness that would become manifest in Christianity, and how ancient Greek philosophy and Christianity constitute the basis of cultural Nihilism. Open to 2nd year students and above.