PHIL 3390 Philosophy of Food

This course is designed to analyze food and eating practices from a philosophical perspective. Specifically, the course will be divided in five units. The first, historical perspectives on food, is an overview of food in the history of philosophy; the second and third units are dedicated, respectively, to the ethics of food and to the question of whether or not food can be considered an art. The fourth unit narrows the discussion to taste and its philosophical implications. The last section, on the phenomenology of food explores a broad set of concepts, which are often associated with food (memory, identity, authenticity, etc.). To accomplish our learning goals and spur lively discussions, we will combine lectures with activities such as trips to local farms, American “terroirs,” the Museum of Food, and guest lectures from local representatives of relevant initiatives revolving around the issue of food and nutrition.
Credits: 3.0