The relationships between science, philosophy and Western culture have been close since Aristotle.  The scientific revolution of the 17th century focused attention on this relationship in ways that still reverberate through our culture. Freud believed that this and further scientific revolutions struck three blows to the egos of human beings:  Copernicus showed we were not the center of the universe, Darwin, that we were essentially animals, and Freud, that we were not even in control of our own psychological processes. 

We will read Kuhn’s The Copernican Revolution, Eiseley’s Darwin’s Century, Freud’s Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis, and works that show the social/cultural impact of these radically new scientific views:  Brecht’s play Galileo, essays on Social Darwinism, Freudian literary criticism and attacks on Freud’s views and their alleged negative influence on the culture.  Requirements:  2 short (6-7 pages) or one long (12-14 pages), two essay midterm exams and an essay final exam.

NOTE:  This material is demanding.  This course if for people who want to challenge themselves intellectually.