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Doubt and Certainty
Professor Howard Wettstein
Department of Philosophy
Course: HASS 092-28W
Call #: 19705
Wednesdays, 10:10-1:00pm, HMNSS 2601
This course will meet 4 times, beginning April 22, 2009

Doubt is often seen as an unfortunate (even if sometimes necessary) state of mind. Certainty is better, more comfortable, something to strive for. Rene Descartes, the father of Modern Philosophy, was deeply troubled about his doubts. Indeed his philosophic program was an attempt to resolve all doubts, to put all of his beliefs on rock-solid footing.

In this seminar, which will emphasize student input and discussion, we will view two recent films which raise questions about this way of thinking about doubt and certainty. The movies are the recent "Doubt," with Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and "The "Third Miracle" with Ed Harris. We will watch these together and discuss the pertinent questions they raise.

Can we make room, in a way that is philosophically and psychologically sound, for doubt. Perhaps being less than certain is often appropriate and desirable.

Also to be explored are a number of pertinent ethical issues, for example, the connection between doubt/certainty and humility.

Reading List:

under development.

Brief Biographical Statement:

Howard Wettstein has been a Professor of Philosophy at UCR since 1989. He is a former Chair of the Department of Philosophy and former Director of the University Honors Program. Prior to coming to UCR, Professor Wettstein taught at the University of Notre Dame. Professor Wettstein's wife is a psychologist for the Veterans Administration and they have two children, an adorable grandson, and an almost equally adorable Golden Retriever.