Nature, Virtue, and Happiness in Ancient Thought

Government 90to

The key concepts of ancient ethics include nature, virtue, and happiness. But what are the different ways in which Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics put these concepts into relation? And how do they rely on these concepts in evaluating political arrangements? This course explores the ethical foundations of ancient political thought by situating our thinkers in debates of philosophical scholarship, and also by examining contemporary thinking inspired by reflection on ancient ethics.  Research-intensive seminar for juniors.
 

• Spring 2011

2011 Syllabus, here.