Glasgow University is offering a philosophy course in Homer Simpson.
Philosophy professor John Donaldson is teaching the Scotland college course, which is listed as “D’Oh! The Simpsons Introduce Philosophy.”
“The Simpsons is one of the modern world’s greatest cultural artifacts partly because it is so full of philosophy,” according to the course description. “Aristotle, Kant, Marx, Camus, and many other great thinkers’ ideas are represented in what is arguably the purest of philosophical forms: the comic cartoon. This day-school will explore some of philosophy’s most inspiring ideas as presented in Matt Groening’s monument to the absurdities of human existence.”
“Homer is a very complex character in many ways,” Donaldson told the BBC. “He’s very gluttonous, he can be quite violent and self-interested. But at the same time he’s a character that’s hard not to like.”
The Simpsons, which first aired in 1989, was created by Groening.
Earlier this month, The Simpsons was renewed for a 29th and 30th season, which will allow the cartoon to break the record for most episodes of a scripted series, currently held by Gunsmoke.
