Ancient Practical Philosophy

Having completed this course you will:

• Be familiar with key ethical questions in Greek philosophy and their historical and cultural context.
• Evaluate the practical nature of Greek philosophy as a way of life.
• Recognize the uniqueness of the sources of Greek practical philosophy and the importance of interpreting them appropriately.
• Consider the distinctiveness of cultural contexts in ethical philosophy across different historical periods.
• Identify the questions and transformations of practical philosophy from Antiquity in contemporary philosophical culture.
• Apply knowledge of ancient practical philosophy in discussing current issues in practical philosophy.

Topics:

• The field of “philosophy” in the intellectual landscape of 5th century BCE Greece.
• The "parts" of ancient philosophy.
• The historical trial of Socrates and the theme of Socratic apology in Plato’s dialogues.
• Theories on the origin of ethical and political norms. Physics and ethics.
• Plato’s Academy (the institutionalization of philosophy).
• Aristotle’s ethics, with a focus on key themes in the Nicomachean Ethics.
• Hellenistic philosophical schools: Epicurus’ Garden; the Stoics, including Marcus Aurelius.
• Plato’s Academy and the traditions of Platonism.
• Plotinus, Porphyry’s Life of Plotinus, and the Enneads.