Why Study This Course?
This course offers an accessible introduction to two of the most transformative movements in Western philosophy: the Enlightenment and Romanticism. We’ll explore how these periods shaped modern thinking about reason, individuality, nature, freedom, and imagination—and how their legacies continue to influence our cultural and political lives today.
Together, we’ll consider:
• The Enlightenment: What role should reason, science, and progress play in human life? Can society be improved through rational thought? How did Enlightenment thinkers challenge traditional authority in politics, religion, and morality?
• Romanticism: In reaction to Enlightenment rationalism, how did Romantic philosophers and writers reimagine the self, emotion, nature, and creativity? What does it mean to value intuition over logic—or the individual over the collective?
We’ll engage with key thinkers such as Kant, Rousseau, Wollstonecraft, Hume, Schiller, and Schelling, and reflect on big questions about the human condition, freedom, and the tension between reason and feeling.
This course offers a rare opportunity to explore the rich philosophical debates of the Enlightenment and Romantic periods in a way that is both intellectually stimulating and accessible. Designed with adult learners in mind, it combines guided discussion, close reading of key texts, and real-world relevance—connecting historical ideas to contemporary questions about reason, freedom, identity, and emotion. Whether you're new to philosophy or returning to it after time away, the course encourages open dialogue in a supportive setting, helping you develop critical thinking, interpretive skills, and a deeper appreciation of the ideas that continue to shape modern life.