Taneli Kukkonen

The notion of "following nature" as a guide to human conduct is ages-old. So is the opposing contention that humanity should rise (but how?) above what nature has given us in order to grasp some higher destiny (but what?). What lies behind these opposing conceptions of the relationship between humanity and our natural environment? If we are shown to be nothing but animals of a particular sort, then what does that spell for our self-image, societal ideals, and ultimate end? And does our place in the natural order confer upon us some special duties with regard to the rest of nature? Finally, what notion of "natural" is operative behind these discussions, anyway? Is the notion of "human nature" even coherent, or particularly helpful? Students will examine psychology, society, morality, and religion, and approach these topics from the point of view of philosophy, literature, and science. Classical texts and cutting-edge research will deepen an understanding of the problem faced by us all - that of what it means to act naturally, and whether we should.

Prerequisite: Must be an NYU Abu Dhabi student and have not completed the Core: Colloquium requirement.

3 credits

Idea of the University: What is higher education for? Who is it for? Who gets to decide? How do the certificates issued by historical madrasas prefigure today’s postdocs? Why were the University of Cambridge and the Beijing Confucian academy united in administering standardized exams? What is the university’s role in nation building, economic advancement, or the liberation of humanity? In this course we will explore and interrogate institutions of higher education past, present, and future, worldwide and in the unique global crossroads that is London’s Bloomsbury. We will climb the monastic spires of knowledge in Oxford; delve into the origins of revolutionary research in the Royal Society; and ponder imperial knowledge production at London’s famous School of Oriental and African Studies. We will debate what the role of the university is and what it should be.

This course will be offered in January-Term 2025 in London, United Kingdom.

Is it possible to argue about religious belief? Is it possible not to? Is religion about belief in some set of propositions, anyway, or about something else entirely? Whose concept of religion are we to follow when deciding? Whose standard of reasonability? The world is a big place. What would a truly global philosophy of religion look like? How would it reframe ancient questions concerning God and the gods, the sacred and the transcendent, good and evil, and the rest? These and many more questions will not receive a definitive answer in this highly experimental course. But we will criss-cross the world's many religious and philosophical traditions, in an effort to understand what is involved in any attempt to understand the ineffable.

This course aims to accomplish two things. The first is to introduce three broad traditions of normative thinking about social issues from around the globe: a Confucian tradition, one based in Islamic legal traditions, and one derived from European liberalism. The second is to address three current areas of normative debate: about global economic inequality, about gender justice, and about human rights. Students will explore these ethical controversies against the background of the three broad traditions. The aim of the course will be to understand some of the differences of approach that shape the global conversation about these issues.

This course is an examination of the origins of Western philosophical thought in ancient Greece and Rome, with a special focus on the views of Plato and Aristotle. Through their work, students will grapple with a range of pressing philosophical questions, including: Is happiness more than a subjective state of consciousness? Is death harmful? Do we have free will? Do we have obligations to others that override the pursuit of our own self-interest? What is the relation between the mind (or the soul) and the body? Since most of the philosophers that will be studied thought that philosophy must be systematic, we will also try to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of this kind of approach to philosophical questions.

Prerequisite: one Introductory Elective in Philosophy (PHIL-UH 1101-1120)

An introduction to Arabic philosophy as developed and debated by Muslims, Christians, and Jews from the eighth to the twelfth century. The Arabic authors were heirs to the entire Greek philosophical legacy and took it in a number of important and innovative directions, some of which have remained with us to the present day. Topics for this course include knowledge, certitude, and the rules of rational debate; the metaphysical distinction between essence and existence and the attendant notions of necessity and contingency; the medieval analysis of the soul, the psychic faculties, and moral psychology; and the role of religion in society and the analysis of religious claims within philosophy.

Prerequisite: one Introductory Elective in Philosophy (PHIL-UH 1101-1120) or declared ACS major or minor

An advanced seminar that involves the careful study of some particular theory, philosopher, or set of issues in contemporary practical philosophy. Examples: consequentialism, empirical moral psychology, the philosophy of law, the ethics of gender, Rawls, metaethics.

Prerequisite: one History of Philosophy, Theoretical Philosophy, or Practical Philosophy Elective (PHIL-UH 2210-2799)

The Capstone Project provides seniors with the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor and to conduct extensive research on a philosophical topic of their choice. The program consists of a year-long individualized thesis tutorial. During the fall semester, students explore their chosen topic, develop a bibliography, read broadly in background works, and write regular substantive response papers. During the spring semester, students hone their research and produce successive drafts of a thesis, which should be a substantial work of written scholarship. The Capstone experience culminates in the public presentation of the completed thesis.

Prerequisite: Must be a declared Philosophy major