Understanding the Dark Side of Human Nature

Course Overview

Explore the dark side of our human nature through the lenses of philosophy, theology, and science, guided by an expert with a global perspective.

The Dark Side of Humanity

Hardly a day goes by without news of a violent or reprehensible act. But how can we be so sure that we are nothing like the perpetrators? This course, led by Professor Daniel Breyer, takes you on a philosophical journey to explore the complex and often hidden aspects of our nature. By investigating perspectives from various traditions—Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and secular—you’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of humanity.

Course Lectures

1. What Do We Mean by the “Dark Side”? – 31 min

• Our Fundamental Nature: Good or Evil? – 32 min

• What Is Evil? – 32 min

• Moral Monsters and Evil Personhood – 32 min

5. Evil and Responsibility – 30 min

6. Sin: Original and Otherwise – 34 min

7. Dark Thoughts and Desires – 34 min

8. Suffering and Its Causes – 31 min

• The Problem of Expectation and Desire – 32 min

10. The Fear of Death – 32 min

11. Existential Anxiety and the Courage to Be – 32 min

12. The Goodness of Grief – 29 min

• Homo necans: Why Do We Kill? – 30 min

• Nightmares and the Dream Self – 28 min

• Varieties of Self-Deception – 31 min

• Varieties of Ignorance – 31 min

• Weakness of Will – 28 min

• Luck and the Limits of Blame – 30 min

19. Victim Blaming and the Just-World Hypothesis – 30 min

• Retribution and Revenge – 30 min

• Forgiveness and Redemption – 30 min

22. The Elimination of Anger – 28 min

23. Being Peaceful in a Troubled World – 29 min

24. The Allure of the Dark Side – 33 min