A UK university is offering a course in ‘Simpsons philosophy’, looking at the philosophical ideas behind the much-loved cartoon.
The Daily Record reports that the University of Glasgow is offering a new course called ‘D’oh! The Simpsons Introduce Philosophy’, taught by university tutor John Donaldson.
It costs £30 and a description of the course reads: “The Simpsons is one of the modern world’s greatest cultural artefacts, partly because it is so full of philosophy. 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 philosophy’s most inspiring ideas as presented in Matt Groening’s monument to the absurdities of human existence. Come along for a day of learning and explore some of philosophy’s most inspiring ideas as presented in The Simpsons.”
Simpsons creator Matt Groening was himself a philosophy student. The character of Homer Simpson was, in part, named after the ancient Greek poet Homer.
Read more: Every Time ‘The Simpsons’ Predicted The Future – Ranked In Order of Weirdness
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Meanwhile, The Simpsons has been renewed for another two seasons by Fox. The animated sitcom, now midway through its 28th season, will be returning for a 29th and 30th season, the network announced earlier this month (November 4).
During its 29th season, The Simpsons will surpass the record 635-episode run of US western drama Gunsmoke to become the longest-running scripted series in US TV history. By the end of its 30th season, it will have racked up a massive 669 episodes.
“Take that Gunsmoke! You lost a race you didn’t even know you were running!” Homer Simpson said in a celebratory statement. Fox’s CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman added: “This is yet another record-setting moment for what is truly a landmark series.”
“The Simpsons has meant so much to the network, the studio and everyone at Fox, and its continued cultural impact around the globe is a testament to the combined brilliance of [executive producers] Matt, Jim and Al.”
Executive producer James L. Brooks recently spoke about the possibility of making a second Simpsons movie. “Fox very much wants us to do another one, and maybe we will and maybe we won’t – that’s where it is,” he said. “How do we divide our labours, and do we believe in the idea we have? We may go into a more active exploration of a second movie soon.”