PHIL 320 - Seminar in the History of Philosophy

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

Topic for 2026/27a: Before and After Virtue. This seminar investigates the distinctive characteristics, limitations, and potential of the virtue ethics tradition(s) in broadly “Western” philosophy. In the first half of the semester, we consider how the pre-philosophical concept of aretê (“excellence”) becomes central to ethical reflection in Plato, Aristotle, and later ancient thinkers. After a brief look at the medieval Christian tradition, we turn in the second half to the modern revival of virtue ethics, focusing on the work of Alisdair MacIntyre (1929–2025). Christopher Raymond.

Prerequisite(s): One 200-level course in Philosophy, or permission of the instructor.

One 3-hour period.

Course Format: CLS