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Harvard University

Power and Responsibility: Doing Philosophy with Superheroes

Harvard University and Smithsonian Institution via edX

Overview

Pow! Bang! Kaboom! Superhero stories, first arriving on the scene in the late 1930s, are now among the most popular forms of global entertainment. The study of philosophy has been around for centuries. Power and Responsibility: Doing Philosophy with Superheroes, a SmithsonianX and Harvard Division of Continuing Education course, blends these superheroes narratives with the core areas of philosophy.

SmithsonianX has partnered with the Harvard Division of Continuing Education to bring this course from the Harvard Extension School to edX. This introductory philosophy course, led by Professor Christopher Robichaud of the Harvard Kennedy School, offers an exciting lens to interpret key philosophical ideas — metaphysics and epistemology, social and political philosophy, ethics, philosophy of mind, existentialism, moral relativism, and much more.

From Superman's embrace of truth, justice, and the American way to Wonder Woman's efforts at promoting peace rather than war, from Spider-Man's personal struggles at balancing his romantic life with his crime fighting exploits to the X-Men's social struggles with combating prejudice, Power and Responsibility: Doing Philosophy with Superheroes will give you the chance to explore philosophy through the many superhero narratives via videos, readings, and a meaningful course community. We invite both those new to philosophy and philosophy lovers to join us on this journey!

Taught by

Dr. Christopher Robichaud

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 1 Class Central review

Start your review of Power and Responsibility: Doing Philosophy with Superheroes

  • Ana Sofia Vargas Rios
    I found this course amazing. Professor Robichaud explores both superhero narratives and philosophy, and how the two intertwine, both amongst themselves and with the real world. I have always loved both superheroes and philosphy, and this course di…

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