Love, Lust, and Loyalty: The Ethics of Intimacy from Plato to Martin Luther King

This course explores the moral dimension of love, sex, and friendship through a philosophical lens.

Students embark on a historical journey through the philosophical insights of ancient philosophers like Plato, Confucius, Augustine, and Aristotle, examining their perspectives on the nature of love and the virtues of friendship.

Building upon this foundation, the course then transitions to modern ethical concerns about sexual ethics and social justice, drawing upon the teachings of Immanuel Kant, Simone de Beauvoir, and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Through critical analysis of primary texts, students explore questions concerning the ethics of desire, consent, intimacy, autonomy, social responsibility, and the pursuit of happiness.

Case studies include ethical dilemmas concerning polyamorous love, online dating, sex work, and friend rental services.

This course empowers students to critically evaluate their own beliefs and behaviors in the realm of intimate relationships, while drawing inspiration from a set of influential ethical theories throughout history.