Who are you? Character and Philosophical Psychology
(Spring 2026)
Course Description.
What makes the Buddha “the Enlightened One”? Why is Nelson Mandela regarded as a symbol of resilience? What does it truly mean to be kind or compassionate? And why do some individuals become offhandedly callous—or even cruel?
​
The subject of this course is character: the enduring dispositional attributes, or character traits, that distinguish an individual and contribute to their identity. These traits are often grounded in a person's beliefs and principles, shaping how they respond to the world around them.
​
Drawing on both psychology and philosophy, this course takes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding character. Psychology, as the science of behavior and mental processes, helps us explore how people think and feel, what they believe and perceive, and how they are likely to behave in particular contexts. Philosophy, on the other hand, allows us to reflect on our relationships to ourselves and others, our values, intentions, ideals, and moral expectations.
​
Philosophical psychology—at the intersection of these two disciplines—combines conceptual and empirical approaches to address complex questions: What is character? How is it formed? Can it be deliberately cultivated or improved?
​
The course is structured around four modules, each offering a distinct perspective on the acquisition and cultivation of character. Through these modules, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the philosophical and psychological dimensions of character development, and reflect on its relevance to personal growth and ethical life.
Philosophy of the Will (Fall 2023)
Course Description.
What is the will? What role does it play in our decision-making processes? How does it shape character? These are some of the central questions we will explore in this course. Our approach will be both historically comprehensive and theoretically inclusive, engaging with key figures from the history of philosophy as well as contemporary debates within analytic philosophy.
​
The first part of the course is dedicated to a historically grounded study of the will, employing contemporary analytic methods—such as critical reading, close textual analysis, and argument construction—to gain deeper insight into primary sources from the 16th to 19th centuries. Our main objective will be to examine the nature of the will and the extent to which it can be considered free, giving due attention to both philosophical and theological perspectives.
​
We begin with Martin Luther’s On the Bondage of the Will (1525), in which the Reformer challenges the notion that humans possess a natural capacity to choose between good and evil. We then turn to the contrasting views of Immanuel Kant, whose ethical framework presupposes the existence of free will and affirms a strong connection between freedom and moral responsibility. We will examine key sections of the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, where Kant famously argues that the human will is bound by moral law.
​
Next, we engage with Arthur Schopenhauer’s On the Freedom of the Will, a prize-winning essay written in response to the question posed by the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences in 1837: “Can the freedom of the will be proven from self-consciousness?” Schopenhauer’s work stands as one of the most elegantly composed treatments of the free will versus determinism debate. We will also briefly consider Friedrich Nietzsche’s conception of the will, which, while bearing similarities to Schopenhauer’s, provides a provocative counterpoint to Kant’s position.
​
These historical figures not only offer invaluable insights into the concept of the will, but also establish a foundation for engaging with contemporary discussions of freedom and agency.
The second part of the course shifts to a more analytical and contemporary focus. Here, we will explore the problem of akrasia, or weakness of will—understood as the failure to act in accordance with one’s resolutions. Central to our inquiry will be the notion of volitional efficacy or "will-power": the capacity to effectively carry out one’s intentions. We will examine the work of Brian O’Shaughnessy, whose philosophically rich account of willing, trying, and intentional action—drawing inspiration from thinkers like Schopenhauer—offers a rigorous and challenging analysis of the mechanics of volition.
​
This course invites students to critically engage with the enduring philosophical puzzles surrounding the will and its freedom, blending historical insight with contemporary analytic rigor.
19th Century German Philosophy: Life, Suffering, and Meaning (Spring 2023)
​
Course Description.
How can we justify the search for meaning in a life marked by senseless suffering, death, and evil? This fundamental question lies at the heart of existential reflection, and few philosophical traditions confront it as directly and profoundly as 19th-century German philosophy. Among the most significant contributors to this inquiry are Arthur Schopenhauer and Friedrich Nietzsche—two towering figures who devoted much of their philosophical work to examining the problem of life’s justification.
​
This course is dedicated exclusively to the thought of Schopenhauer and Nietzsche. Our central focus will be on their responses to the existential weight of suffering and the implications it has for how we live. We will critically explore their views on the nature and value of suffering, the possibility (or impossibility) of redemption, and the prospects for meaning in a world that often appears indifferent—or even hostile—to human striving.
​
The overarching theme of the course is the role of suffering in human life and the practical attitudes we might adopt in response to it. Through close reading and discussion of primary texts, we will seek to understand how each philosopher grapples with the darkest dimensions of existence—and what they offer by way of philosophical consolation, transformation, or challenge.
Philosophy of Women (Fall 2022)
​
Course Description.
Women—and issues of particular concern to women—have historically been overlooked, marginalized, or dismissed within the philosophical canon. This course addresses that exclusion and aims to engage students in two central areas of inquiry. First, we will examine the social, cultural, and institutional factors that contributed to the neglect of women in the history of philosophy. Second, we will explore the work of contemporary women philosophers and their contributions to philosophical understanding, particularly regarding issues that disproportionately affect women today.
​
Readings will include both historical and contemporary texts. While figures such as Musonius Rufus and Plato will provide early philosophical reflections on the role and nature of women, the primary focus will be on contemporary thinkers, including Marilyn Frye, Iris Marion Young, Edith Stein, Jennifer Saul, Mirjam Müller, Lisa H. Schwartzman, Erin Beeghly, Mary Kate McGowan, and Carol Hay.
​
Through these readings and discussions, students will gain a deeper appreciation of how philosophy can be enriched by attending to gender and by engaging voices that have too often been excluded.
