Homer and the Problem of Justice:
A Seminar on the Iliad

We all have beliefs about justice that shape our view of how to live, of what a good or admirable person is, and of what kind of society we want to bring about. However, these beliefs are not truths each of us personally discovered on our own. Rather, they are shared beliefs that arise from our common upbringing in a democracy­ and reflect its moral principles, freedom and equality. But when the stakes are high, don’t we need to seek out the truth of those beliefs for ourselves?

From the earliest times, men have pursued justice as the highest end—a justice that calls forth, that demands, the greatest sacrifices of themselves and their peoples. Yet, perhaps even in their finest moments, they have been shaken by doubts about the goodness of justice (Iliad, 9.312-27, 401-9; Job 9:20-24; Eccl. 9:2-6). It is Homer, whose epics helped found Western civilization and literature, who raises the gravest doubts about justice through his heroes. In the case of Achilles, we will examine in detail his anger at the injustice he suffered, and the profound disillusionment and questioning of his life that followed. We will also look at other analyses of justice Homer offers in the form of rival heroes: crafty Odysseus, god-seeing Diomedes, and steadfast Hektor. This examination is inseparable from the account of the gods: Homer suggests that our attachment to justice, and so also the problem of justice, cannot come clearly to light without bringing to the surface our faith in beautiful and immortal beings.

Manuel Lopez, AAI’s Scholar-in-Residence, will provide instruction and moderate discussion, with additional guest lectures by other expert scholars.

There is no cost to the program, and each week's readings will be provided to all participants.

Open only to current Undergraduates and graduate Students At Harvard and Other boston-area universities.

Light dinner provided.

Registration required— register below. Registration capped at 25.