John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost is one of the greatest and most influential works of Western literature. It presents a grand-scale retelling of the Biblical story of original sin, reshaped by the worldview of its extraordinary author, a 17th-century English proto-liberal and religious nonconformist. Paradise Lost is best-known for its compelling portrayal of Satan as a tragic rebel whom many readers find more admirable than God or his subjects.
In this micro course, we will read over half of this work of literature and seek to appreciate its poetic grandeur, story, rich characterizations and epic literary form. We will also investigate the question of the poem’s perspective on the philosophical issues it raises. Has Milton really presented a justification of God, as he claims? Or, as the Romantic poet William Blake contended, is he “of the Devil’s party without knowing it”?
Who should enroll?
This course will appeal to people who are interested in literature and/or aesthetics, including those who want to expand their literary horizons. Since Paradise Lost is a philosophically rich work that attempts to provide a rational justification for Christian doctrine, it will also be of interest to people who are interested in the intellectual history of the Renaissance and Enlightenment or in the role of Christianity in the history of philosophy.
Students who take the course can expect a guided experience reading a great work of literature that is written in a different style and form than more modern novels and that presents a worldview with which Objectivism disagrees. The course is intended to help students better understand and appreciate this work, and secondarily to gain experience that will help them further explore great literature from the past. Students will also be introduced to a fascinating proto-Enlightenment thinker grappling with issues of reason and religion.
About Micro Courses
Micro courses showcase emerging Objectivist intellectuals in ARI’s Intellectual Incubator. Micro courses run 5-6 weeks and provide an opportunity for students to explore an academic topic with an early career expert in that subject area—without a significant coursework burden. Micro courses do not have required assignments, but students are expected to do the readings and to participate in the class discussion—ideally by attending live, or by submitting questions and comments if you watch the recordings. Importantly, you’ll be asked to complete an evaluation at the end of the course so that the instructor can benefit from your perspective.
Sam Weaver
ARI reserves the right to cancel or reschedule live courses. Students have the option to be refunded, credited, or transferred to another course should this occur.
ARI Live Courses are for avocational and professional development purposes. They are not licensed and not accredited.
ARI Live Courses participants must abide by our Code of Conduct and Confidentiality policies, and any other course policies communicated to participants.
There are no course prerequisites. Students should be familiar with The Romantic Manifesto and “For the New Intellectual” (the title essay). The main text is English poetry from the 17th century, so prior experience reading early modern (1500-1700) English authors — like Hobbes, Locke, or especially Shakespeare — is good preparation, but it is not required.
We offer foundational courses in Objectivism and objective communication each year, as well as courses in special topics such as epistemology, literature, business, and intellectual history.
