Phil 4240 Philosophy of Friendship and Love
Dr. Janet Donohoe
1. Learning Outcomes: The aim of this course is to examine
critically the historical theories of friendship and love through examining
important primary philosophical texts; to explore what it means to love and
how such notions of love and friendship have changed through the centuries;
to grasp the value and meaning of friendship and love as social and personal
elements; to recognize the historical nature of definitions and questions
of friendship and love. By the end of the semester students will be
able to:
• Analyze and critically outline philosophical positions
• Identify philosophical positions on love and friendship
• Explain the historical differences of philosophies of
love and friendship
• Indicate how philosophies of love and friendship are
influenced by other philosophical theories, e.g. metaphysics, epistemology.
• Exhibit familiarity with at least four philosophical
theories of love and friendship
2. Requirements: The requirements for the class are fivefold.
a) attendance and class participation
10%
b) response papers
15%
c) in-class midterm exam
25%
d) one 2100-3000 word paper
25%
e) oral final exam
25%
In order to meet these requirements, it will be necessary to attend class
regularly and to do the assigned reading. It will be evident if you
have not done the reading and this will not be beneficial to your success
in the course. Papers absolutely will not be accepted after the due
date unless you have discussed it with me prior to the due date.
3. Availability: I am available outside of class during office
hours, or by appointment. If there are questions or problems, do not
hesitate to see me.
Hours: M, W, F 11:00-12:00 noon; M,W 2:00-4:00 pm
Office: Humanities 148
Phone: 770-838-3012
e-mail: jdonohoe@westga.edu
4. Book List: The books listed below should be available in the
book store. The articles listed will be available in a course packet.
Tr. Sanders The Epic of Gilgamesh
Plato
Symposium
Aristotle Nicomachean
Ethics
Shakespeare Sonnets
Austen
Persuasion
Course packet includes:
Aquinas Summa Theologiae
II-II Q. 27
DeBeauvoir “The Woman in Love”
Kristeva selection
from Tales of Love
Nussbaum “The Speeches of Alcibiades”
Schopenhauer “Metaphysics of Love of the Sexes”
Derrida “The
Politics of Friendship”
Blanchot “Friendship”
CALENDAR
August
21 Introduction. Discussion of
themes
23 Epic of Gilgamesh (response
paper on friendship or love)
25 Epic of Gilgamesh
28 Epic of Gilgamesh
30 Plato Symposium
(response paper due)
September
1 Symposium
4 Symposium
6 Symposium
8 Nussbaum “The Speech
of Alcibiades”
11 Labor Day—no classes
13 “Alcibiades”
15 “Alcibiades”
18 Aristotle Nicomachean
Ethics VIII (response paper due)
20 Ethics VIII
22 Ethics IX
25 Ethics IX
27 Ethics
29 Derrida “Politics
of Friendship”
October
2 “Politics of Friendship”
4 “Politics of Friendship”
6 Aquinas Summa Theologiae
(response paper due)
9 Summa Theologiae
11 Summa Theologiae
13 Summa Theologiae
16 Summa Theologiae
18 Midterm Exam
20 Shakespeare Sonnets
23 Sonnets
25 Sonnets
27 Sonnets
30 Austen
Persuasion
November
1 Persuasion
3 Persuasion
6 Persuasion
8 Persuasion
10 Schopenhauer “Metaphysics
of Love…” (response paper due)
13 “Metaphysics of Love…”
15 “Metaphysics of Love…”
17 DeBeauvoir “The
Woman in Love”
20 “The Woman in Love” (paper
due)
22-25 Thanksgiving Break—No Classes
27 “The Woman in Love”
29 Kristeva Tales
of Love
December
1 Tales of Love
4 Tales of Love
6 Blanchot “Friendship”
7 Review
Final exams will be scheduled during exam week.