A&S | Maxwell Virtual Sample Class: What Does It Take To Be a Good Friend?

In this sample class you'll meet Professor Erica Houts Shumener, who is a published author and professor in the Department of Philosophy. Professor Shumener's class discussion will mimic her courses for undergraduate students at Syracuse and focus on an important topic that's relevant to all of us: Friendships.

From Professor Shumener: There are certain platitudes we accept about friendships: Good friends try to see each other in the best light, good friends give each other the benefit of the doubt, good friends believe in each other.  Most of us want to be a good friend. We also want to be responsive to our evidence. Some philosophers believe that, at least on certain occasions, is impossible to do both. Sometimes being a good friend will require us to be epistemically irresponsible (irresponsible in how we form beliefs). In this sample class, we will examine how this conflict arises and some potential solutions to the conflict.