THE CENTURY OF HELL

REQUIRED

EXPERIENCE OF HELL

THREAT OF HELL

PROBLEM OF HELL

HESBURGH

HUMANITY AND HELL

In this section of the course, we explore the issue of causation. How do we account for the fact that "Hell happens..."? What does this subject have to do with different understandings of Hell? In contrast to "The Experience of Hell," his section is about explanation.

Thursday, February 23

Image IV. Tyrants and Madmen: "The devil's banquet . . ."

Robert Todd Carroll, "Satan," The Skeptic's Dictionary
Milovan Djilas, Conversations with Stalin, pp. 56-84.
Hannah Arendt, Eichmann in Jerusalem, pp. 36-55.

Tuesday, February 28

We will have a film on this date, both during class and in the evening. We will select some time period between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. for watching the film, so make sure you keep this slot upon on your calendar.

Richard Bugajski, "The Interrogation" (film)

Prepare for film by reading here.

Today's Hollywood features will provide more bloodletting, but you are likely to find that this depiction of Stalinist terror is one of the most agonizing films you have seen. The horrors of Stalinism should not be portrayed in any other fashion. Remind me to prepare you for a couple of the scenes.

Thursday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 7

Image V. Stalinist Terror: "A self-imposed hell. . ."

Arthur Koestler, Darkness at Noon, entire book, and Bugakski's "The Interrogation"

Thursday, March 9

Open date: I'm in Bosnia.

SEMESTER BREAK: March 10 - March 19

Tuesday, March 21

Understanding Hell: A retrospective review of our progress thus far.

Thursday, March 23

Image VI. The Technological Future: "A hell of your own making . . ."

Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

Tuesday, March 28

Peter Singer, "Taking Life: Humans," from Practical Ethics
Browse through this site on Peter Singer

"Will therapeutic cloning fail or foster future ageing research?"
"Against a prohibition on cloaning"

Thursday, March 30

Second Great Debate: "Huxley's dystopia is the logical consequence of Singer's utilitarianism"