Course Overview

This course examines ideas about human rationality and irrationality, primarily as they have been expressed in the literature and science of Western thinkers from the time of Descartes. Western culture has often exalted rationality as the essential mark of superior mental, moral and social development. But what does it mean to be rational? And, conversely, what does it mean to be irrational?

The course will use modern cognitive psychology to provide an organizing framework for discussion, but it will explore answers to these questions from a variety of perspectives. Thus, it will draw on both historical texts and modern readings for source material. To some extent, the course will use a case study approach and examine real examples of rational and irrational behavior. However, it will also incorporate discussions from literary, philosophical and other sources to amplify the breadth of the discussion.

"Man is a rational animal."         Aristotle

"Man is a rational animal who always loses his temper when called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason."         Oscar Wilde