Key facts

Type	Weekly Classes
Location	Oxford
Address	Ewert House Ewert Place Summertown Oxford
Dates	Tue 16 Apr to Tue 18 Jun 2013 Day: Tuesday Time of meeting: 7.00-9.00pm Number of meetings: 10
Subject area(s)	Philosophy
CATS points	10
Fees	From £165.00
Application status	In progress - closed to new applications
Course code	O12P720PHW
Course contact	If you have any questions about this course, please email ppweekly@conted.ox.ac.uk.

Overview

Aristotle had a profound influence not just for western philosophy but on many aspects of western thought and culture. In this course we will investigate and discuss some of the key ideas of one of the cleverest men who ever lived.

Description

In the middle ages, Aristotle was held in such esteem that he was known simply as 'The Philosopher'. The rediscovery of his works had a profound influence on western thought and culture which lasts even now. In this course we will investigate and discuss some of his key ideas. The course will be of interest not just to those who enjoy philosophy but to anyone interested in the history of ideas.

Programme details

Week 1: Introduction: Brief description of Aristotle’s influence. Cultural and historical background to Greek philosophy The pre-Socratic philosophers and Plato
Week 2: Aristotle as a pupil of Plato. Plato's key ideas including his doctrine of the Forms and the emphasis on objectivity in ethics.
Aristotle's Ethics - The Nichomachean Ethics (1)
Week 3: The Nichomachean Ethics (2). The nature of virtue and the good life for a human being. Value pluralism.
Week 4: The Politics - the state's role in promoting the good life. The ideal state and the nature of government
Week 5: Aristotle Logical Works
The Metaphics - first philosophy
Week 6: Metaphysics (2)
Week 7: Physics - Aristotle as an originator of scientific thinking?
Week 8: De Anima - Aristotle on the nature of the 'Soul'.
Week 9: The Poetics
Week 10: Aristotle's Influence and the survival of his ideas.

Background Reading:
Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics - any edition

Staff

Course aims

Course Aims:
To provide an introduction to the central ideas of Aristotle’s philosophy both for those whose interests are philosophical and those who wish to understand more of Aristotle’s role in western culture. To help fulfil Aristotle’s words at the beginning of the Metaphysics: ‘All men by nature desire to know.’

Course Objectives:
1. To provide an understanding of the key concepts which run through Aristotle’s works such as the distinction between actuality and potentiality, his view of causation and his view of reason.
2. To understand Aristotle’s methods: his approach to defining philosophical questions, his examination of the views of his predecessors and the way in which he formulates and sustains his own arguments.
3. To give an appreciation of the sheer breadth of Aristotle’s works so that participants can understand the admiration in which he was held by the generations that have followed. To foster the ability to read Aristotle in translation.

Assessment methods

Assessment will take place through an essay designed to demonstrate critical understanding of an aspect of Aristotle. As an alternative participants can subject a critical summaries of any five of the seminars given. Comments and views expressed during seminars will be used to check participants understanding as the course progresses.

Teaching methods

Teaching will chiefly involve a series of seminars in which attendees will be encouraged to participate with their own views and interpretations. Certain key passages of Aristotle will be read in class and discussed in detail. Maps and illustrations will be used to encourage a sense of context within Greek thought.

Teaching outcomes

On successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the key ideas of Aristotle’s philosophy and understand how it differed from those of his predecessors
2. Critically evaluate the major strengths and weaknesses of his approach
3. Be able to read Aristotle in translation, drawing on an understanding of his fundamental principles in order to elucidate material not covered in the course
4. Understand the role played by his philosophy in later thought
5. Apply acquired critical understanding to other areas of philosophy.

Fee options

Programme Fee

Home/EU fee: £165.00

Non-EU fee: £165.00

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