University teaches philosophy through Harry Potter

ST. CLOUD, Minn. -- Minnesota university is mixing the magical world of Harry Potter into philosophy teachings.

St. Cloud State University professor Carolyn Hartz is applying Aristotle's work on friendship to character relationships in J.K. Rowling's books about the boy wizard, the St. Cloud Times reported.

The class discusses ethics, logic, love, the human soul and nature while examining the stories.

"These are fundamental human concerns," Hartz said. "Philosophy is, in my view, critical thinking about fundamental areas of human concern."

Rowling's stories provide understandable examples of philosophy concepts that can be difficult to comprehend, said Miles Nelson, a second-year university student who took the course last spring.

He said the class also shows the depth in Rowling's work many people may not have realized if they read the Harry Potter books when they were children.

Nelson said he was inspired to minor in philosophy after taking the course.

Hartz's office is full of Harry Potter references, including a time-turner necklace, a logic puzzle from the first book and red stones that resemble the sorcerer's stone from the first book.