Postgraduate Course: Ancient Ethics MSc (PHIL11092)
Course Outline
| School | School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The course contributes to the teaching plan in Philosophy by complementing other courses in ancient philosophy. Aristotle is chosen as the primary source to give students the experience of reading a connected work and following a body of thought, and because his approach to philosophy (by contrast with Plato's) makes it easier to study his ethical thought in isolation.
Shared with UG course Ancient Ethics PHIL10101.
For courses co-taught with undergraduate students and with no remaining undergraduate spaces left, a maximum of 8 MSc students can join the course. Priority will be given to MSc students who wish to take the course for credit on a first come first served basis after matriculation. |
| Course description |
The course is based on a systematic coverage of the main themes of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics. Topics discussed will include the human good, moral and intellectual virtues, responsibility, pleasure, friendship, and the place of philosophy in the good life. The impact of ancient theories of virtue on later thought will also be considered.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- understand some major issues in Ancient Ethics
- understand how these issues relate to continuing debates
- read closely, analyse and criticise ancient philosophical texts.
- present and defend arguments
- understand and analyse arguments
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Reading List
Primary reading: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics
Recommended Secondary Reading:
D.S. Hutchinson. 'Ethics' in J. Barnes, ed., The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle.
J. Annas, The Morality of Happiness.
T. Irwin, The Development of Ethics (vol. 1).
G. Hughes, Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Aristotle on Ethics.
S. Broadie, Ethics with Aristotle.
A.O. Rorty, ed. Essays on Aristotle's Ethics.
R. Kraut, ed. The Blackwell Guide to Aristotle's Ethics.
L.P. Gerson, ed. Aristotle: Critical Assessments, vol. 3.
G. Anagnostopoulos, ed. A Companion to Aristotle. (Contains articles on each major topic from the Ethics.)
A fuller bibliography, linked to weekly topics, will be available on Learn.
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Additional Information
| Course URL |
Please see Learn page |
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Written skills; oral communication skills; ability to analyse and follow arguments |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
The course is taught by Dr Andrew Mason
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Theodore Scaltsas
Tel: (0131 6)50 3649
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Becky Verdon
Tel: (0131 6)50 3860
Email: |
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