Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

• Summer Quarter 2008
• Autumn Quarter 2008

Jean Valerie Roberts
PHIL 340
Seattle Campus

History of Ancient Ethics

Development of moral thought from Socrates through the Stoics. Particular emphasis on the ethical writings of Plato and Aristotle.

Class description

This course will trace the development of ancient Greek ethics from the time of the sophists through the post-Aristotelian Stoics, concentrating on issues such as: the nature of virtue, the roles of reason and of the emotions in virtue, and the relation between virtue and happiness. There will be two short papers, a midterm and a final exam.

This course is suitable for non-majors, but at least one previous course in philosophy is very highly recommended. Meets VLPA or I&S requirements. "W" course.

TEXTS: Plato, Protagoras; Grube (trans.), Trial and Death of Socrates; Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics; Inwood & Gerson, Hellenistic Philosophy; Zeyl (trans.), Gorgias.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

Recommended preparation

Class assignments and grading

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Modified:June 21, 2008