Aristotle (384–322 BCE) continues to have a central and pivotal place in moral thinking. Not only is his ethical work the first attempt for a systematic theory, it also sets the major themes for centuries to come. We study exemplary selections from the ‘Nicomachean Ethics’ (NE) in considerable depth, and so cover central themes in moral philosophy while also relating them our own lives. In conversation, we think for instance about what is good and valuable, how to make wise choices, being courageous and just, how to deal with pleasure constructively, and making and keeping friends. In short, our theme is the good life according to Aristotle.
Ethics with Aristotle
Overview
This course combines online study with a weekly 1-hour live webinar led by your tutor. Find out more about how our short online courses are taught.
Programme details
This course begins on the 16 Sep 2025 which is when course materials are made available to students. Students should study these materials in advance of the first live meeting which will be held on 23 Sep 2025, 7:00-8:00pm (UK time).
Week 1: We begin by getting a sense for ancient Greek ethics and Aristotle.
Week 2: We start by exploring the human good and happiness (eudaimonia) (NE I).
Week 3: We study the nature of moral virtue and how it relates to character (NE II).
Week 4: We explore voluntary action and choice (NE III).
Week 5: We discuss a selection of specific moral virtues NE IV).
Week 6: We investigate justice—where ethics meet politics (NE V).
Week 7: We turn to practical wisdom and the intellectual virtues (NE VI).
Week 8: We study the nature of weak will and self-control, and pleasure (NE VII).
Week 9: We think about some issues relating to friendship (NE VIII–IX).
Week 10: We complete our tour by returning to the good and happiness (NE X).
Recommended reading
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course:
- Nicomachean Ethics / Aristotle
- Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction / Barnes, J.
- Aristotle’s Way / Hall, E.
- Aristotle’s Ethics / Kraut, R.
Certification
Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points
Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework. All those enrolled on an online course are registered for credit and will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.
See more information on CATS points
Digital credentials
All students who pass their final assignment will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | £360.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Tutor
Dr Peter Wyss
Peter has been teaching weekly classes and online courses for the past fourteen years at the department, where he is involved in one of the certificate programmes too. In the Thinkery, his practice, he also offers philosophical counselling.
Course aims
This course aims to introduce participants to central themes in Aristotle’s ethics through a critical engagement with selections from the Nicomachean Ethics.
Course objectives:
1. To study Aristotle’s text and discuss the philosophical themes that arise from it.
2. To encourage and practice a critical engagement with philosophical text.
3. To become familiar with Aristotle’s ethical thinking.
Teaching methods
This course takes place over 10 weeks, with a weekly learning schedule and weekly live webinar held on Microsoft Teams. Shortly before a course commences, students are provided with access to an online virtual learning environment, which houses the course content, including video lectures, complemented by readings or other study materials. Any standard web browser can be used to access these materials, but we recommend Google Chrome. Working through these materials over the course of the week will prepare students for a weekly 1-hour live webinar you will share with your expert tutor and fellow students. All courses are structured to amount to 100 study hours, so that on average, you should set aside 10 hours a week for study. Although the course finishes after 10 weeks, all learning materials remain available to all students for 12 months after the course has finished.
All courses are led by an expert tutor. Tutors guide students through the course materials as part of the live interactions during the weekly webinars. Tutors will also provide individualised feedback on your assignments. All online courses are taught in small student cohorts so that you and your peers will form a mutually supportive and vibrant learning community for the duration of the course. You will learn from your fellow students as well as from your tutor, and they will learn from you.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be expected to:
1. identify the core ideas and concepts of Aristotle's ethics;
2. express and critically evaluate these ideas;
3. have gained confidence in reading, interpreting, and communicating an ancient philosophical text.
Assessment methods
You will be set two pieces of work for the course. The first of 500 words is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your assessed piece of work of 1,500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.
Application
Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.
Level and demands
This course is open to all and no prior knowledge is required.
This course is offered at FHEQ Level 4 (i.e. first year undergraduate level), and you will be expected to engage in independent study in preparation for your assignments and for the weekly webinar. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class. Our 10-week Short Online Courses come with an expected total commitment of 100 study hours, including those spent in live webinars.
English Language Requirements
We do not insist that applicants hold an English language certification, but warn that they may be at a disadvantage if their language skills are not of a comparable level to those qualifications listed on our website. If you are confident in your proficiency, please feel free to enrol. For more information regarding English language requirements please follow this link: https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/about/english-language-requirements