Introductory description

PH354-15 Aritotle

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The course will cover both the theoretical and practical philosophy of Aristotle. We will discuss Aristotle's views about different ways in which the world can be understood, his theory of change, his theory of the soul, and then move on to Aristotle's ethics. In particular, we will attempt to work out what Aristotle thought the best life for human beings was, in the light of both textual and philosophical problems.

Week 1. Lectures 1 & 2: An Introduction to the Module
Week 2. Lectures 3 & 4: Aristotle's 'Four Causes' Introduced
Week 3: Lectures 5 & 6: The Nature of Final Cause
Week 4: Lectures 7 & 8: Aristotle on 'Actuality' and 'Potentiality'
Week 5: Lectures 9 & 10: Aristotle on Change
Week 6: No lecture
Week 7: Lectures 11 & 12: An introduction to Aristotle on the Soul
Week 8: Lectures 13 & 14: A Puzzle about Aristotle on the Soul
Week 9: Lectures 15 & 16: Aristotle's The Function Argument
Week 10: Lectures 17 & 18: A Puzzle about Aristotle on Eudaimonia

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Subject knowledge and understanding: students should be able to understand and expound the central elements of Aristotle’s philosophy.
• Key skills: students should be able to communicate clearly and substantively in speech and in writing on the questions addressed in the module.
• Cognitive skills: students should be able to isolate the important claims within both the primary texts and the secondary literature, understand the structure of arguments, test views for strengths and weaknesses, make pertinent use of examples, and compare the substance of views consistently.
• Subject-specific skills: students should be able to pursue and organize philosophical research using a range of sources (print and electronic media), documenting research carefully, and showing the ability to engage independently in philosophical debate.

Indicative reading list

J. L. Ackrill (1987) A New Aristotle Reader. Oxford, O.U.P. (A translation and selection of the most important Aristotelian texts we will be studying).

C. Shields (2014) Aristotle (2nd. ed.) London, Routledge. The single most important introductory secondary source for this module.

J. Lear (1988) Aristotle: The Desire to Understand. Cambridge, C.U.P. Excellent, both as a commentary on Aristotle and as a work of philosophy.

Subject specific skills

(i) The capacity to read classic works of Aristotle (specifically, the Physics, the De Anima and the Nicomachean Ethics) and to understand key ideas in those texts.
(ii) The capacity to explain key arguments found in classic philosophical works by Aristotle.
(iii) To develop an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of these arguments, and to be able to communicate these strengths and weaknesses in written and oral work.
(iv) To work effectively with peers in group-oriented work on Aristotle, and to communicate and think about Aristotle in a seminar environment

Transferable skills

(i) To acquire the capacity to read demanding material effectively and critically.
(ii) To develop the capacity to explain demanding ideas and arguments clearly, briefly and accurately.
(iii) To think creatively about problems by deploying the capacity for clear thinking and reasoning
(iv) To work collaboratively and sensitively with others in a seminar environment, and to develop the self-confidence to communicate effectively in a group environment.