The Biblical books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job are often grouped together
under the Hebrew category of hokhmah, `wisdom.' Although these books are
very different in content, they can all be interpreted as meditations on ethical and
practical philosophy. In this way, they represent the Hebrew Bible's canonical
embrace of a widespread Near Eastern literary phenomenon. From the instructional literature of Egypt and Mesopotamia to Greek didactic poetry and fables,
ancient Mediterranean cultures offer a wide range of texts that engage the issues
of personal behavior, leadership, and justice. Starting with the central wisdom
books of the Hebrew Bible and moving through relevant material from the
Apocrypha, New Testament, and the Egyptian and Babylonian traditions, this
course will examine the literature of wisdom throughout the ancient world with
an eye toward understanding its various social, political, and philosophical contexts. We will then consider the Greek wisdom tradition in such texts as Hesiod's
Works and Days, Aesop's fables, and fragments from the pre-Socratic philosophers. Finally, we will explore the influence of these ancient sources on later expressions of wisdom in medieval European literature, as well as more recent examples such as Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack. All readings are
in translation.
Format: lecture/discussion. Evaluation will be based on class participation, short
written assignments, and two longer papers.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit:19 (expected:19).