PHIL 2225 Freedom

What does it mean for a person to be free? What is freedom for? What is it from? Are lives fated? Can anything be free of the laws of nature, or the providence of God? How do the constraints of society, the burdens of the past, and the accidents of nature shape our freedom? This course will consider the phenomenon of freedom in its metaphysical, psychological, and ethical dimensions. We will engage in ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary authors as well as aesthetic movements and works of art that explore freedom. Among the authors and worksconsidered: Sophocles, Augustine, Kant, Nietzsche, Woolf, Surrealism, jazz andThe Matrix.

Course overview

Department: Philosophy
School: MCAS
Credits: 3
Level: Undergraduate
Offered: Periodically

Catalog details

Prerequisites: Must have completed Philosophy Core

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

Philosophy: Free Philosophy electives (five courses, 15 credits); up to two approved cognate courses in other departments may also count (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

Christopher Constas
Spring 2027

Sections

Section 01
Spring 2027 · Christopher Constas · Stokes Hall 107S TuTh 10:30AM-11:45AM · Offered