Do you want to increase your understanding of justice?
The course "Justice - ideas and ideals in fiction, philosophy and religion" aims to enrich your understanding of justice by examining how ideas of justice have been portrayed in different literary, philosophical and religious traditions. We pose three questions to Martin Westerholm, the main teacher of the course.
What does this course include?
– The course studies texts and ideas that expand our capacity to imagine what justice looks like. Two key ideas shape this study. The first is that thinking about justice always involves using our imaginations because you have to think not just about how the world is, but also how the world could be. The second is that it is good for all of us to expand the range and scope of our moral imaginations because we are all better at imagining some features of justice than others. The course looks at literary, religious and philosophical texts and traditions that all, in different ways, help us think more richly and deeply about what justice might involve.
Why should you take this course?
– This course enriches students’ knowledge and perspective in a number of ways. On one level, it deepens students’ grasp of intellectual history, and of the formation of our cultures, by allowing them to work with influential texts that have shaped how we think about justice. On another level, it positions students to contribute constructively to the pursuit of justice by exposing them to stimulating texts and ideas that expand their capacity to imagine what just requires. On yet another level, it enriches students’ mental worlds by teaching them to think about the living interactions between different literary, religious and philosophical conceptions.
What do you think is one of the highlights of the course?
– It is always a highlight of teaching generally, and of this course in particular, when I see different lightbulbs go on for students. It is very rewarding to see how excited students get when they begin to understand where their ideas about justice come from, what strengths and weaknesses might accompany their conceptions, and where alternative notions that can enrich their own thinking may be found.
Comments from students
Splendid. I have felt washed over with wisdom every lecture, and also feel like I have been able to absorb a lot of it. Knowledgeable, wise, and well spoken course leader.
"I am thoroughly impressed with the course's exceptional development. The effort put into creating such a remarkable learning experience is evident."
"I can say without exaggerating that I absolutely loved this course."
Text: Hanna Erlingson
