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Core modules and Options at Level 10

PHI9HH Reason, Desire and the Good: Themes in Aristotle's Ethics

Outline

For Aristotle, as for Plato, the question 'How should one live?' was of central philosophical importance, and led to such further questions as -'What are the proper ends of human life?'; 'What is human good?'; What virtues are required for human well-being?'. Recent developments in moral philosophy, in particular the revival of 'virtue ethics', have again focused attention on such questions, and on Aristotelian treatments of them. This module examines Aristotle's discussions of these questions in the Nicomachean Ethics: it will also attend to such issues as the role of emotions in virtue, or excellence of character; the nature and scope of practical reason; weakness of will; moral responsibility.

Outcome

Students should gain an understanding of the central features of Aristotle's ethics and of their relation to more contemporary concerns in moral philosophy. They will also gain experience and expertise in dealing with the history of philosophy and with historical texts. The module also aims, as do all modules in Philosophy, to improve the students' skills in critical reading, critical thinking, and written and oral communication, through the lecture programme, participation in seminars, and the writing of essays.

 

Reading

Core text:
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (trans. R Crisp, Cambridge University Press)

For introductory reading, you could look at one of the following :
G J Hughes, Aristotle on Ethics (Routledge)
M Pakaluk, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: An Introduction (Cambridge UP)
But note that these are introductory books, and are not a substitute for engaging directly with the Nicomachean Ethics yourself.

A very thorough commentary on the Nicomachean Ethics is provided by:
S Broadie, Ethics with Aristotle (Oxford UP)

A very useful collection of articles is:
A O Rorty (ed), Essays on Aristotle’s Ethics (University of California Press)

 

Availability:	Honours semester 6/8, BA in Philosophy or the General degree
Prerequisite:	PHI9CA or PHI9CB
Assessment:	Coursework (one required essay) 50%; examination (3 questions in 3 hours) 50%. Students may choose to submit a second essay to improve their coursework grade.
Teaching Pattern:	Each week there will be two one-hour lectures and one one-hour seminar
Regulation:	For the purposes of the University’s attendance regulation 14, seminars are prescribed classes. The rationale for prescribing these classes may be found in the Philosophy Student Handbook, section F. This section also contains regulations relating to the submission of essays, and other matters.

 

If you would like to know more about this module please contact the Departmental Secretaries.