November 15, 2002

Hellenistic Philosophy Meets Postmodern Irony

What does a smart-mouthed character on a television cartoon series have to do with a Greek philosopher who died around 2,300 years ago?

Maybe a philosophical outlook, says Greg Salyer, an associate professor of English at Huntingdon College, in Montgomery, Ala., who teaches a course called "Diogenes to Bart Simpson: Cynicism, Stoicism, and Skepticism."

This interdisciplinary course, which touches on both philosophy and English, helps students apply Hellenistic philosophy to