PHIL 101 - History of Western Philosophy: Ancient

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

101a: This course provides an introduction to Western philosophy from the pre-Socratics to the Stoics of the Roman Empire. Our focus will be the ancient conception of philosophy as an art of living, and on different views of eudaimonia, or happiness - the ultimate goal of a human life. Our principal texts will include Plato’s Socratic dialogues, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, the letters of Epicurus, and Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. Mr. Raymond.

101a: The course will concentrate on the ethical and metaphysical thought of Plato and Aristotle. We will consider their answers to two questions that both see as intimately connected: What is a good life for a human being? And: what is it for something to exist? Mr. Seidman.

Two 75-minute periods.