161-053 The Good Life in Ancient Thought

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

A first year single-semester philosophy subject. Students who lack this prerequisite, but believe themselves adequately prepared to attempt second/third year subjects, should consult the head of department.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The subject examines and critically compares a number of conceptions of good human life to be found in ancient philosophical, cultural and religious texts and traditions. These conceptions include those of Plato and Aristotle and their Greek successors the Cynics, Stoics, and Epicureans; some from other Mediterranean sources such as the Roman, Jewish, and Christian; and some from further afield such as the Hindu, Buddhist and Confucian. Topics and themes include the nature of happiness and its relation to virtue, the varieties and significance of social life and relationships between the sexes, the relative importance of this-worldly and other-worldly goods, and the nature and causes of moral success and failure. Students will be expected to develop an understanding of these various conceptions, of important similarities and differences among them, of philosophical issues arising in and about them, and of their relevance to enduring questions concerning the quality of human life.

Assessment

Two 2000-word essays and tutorial participation.

Prescribed Texts

A subject reader will be available.