Handbook

Ancient thinkers were deeply concerned with the good life and how to live it. This subject gives special attention to Aristotle’s account of human nature, ethics and the virtues, drawing mainly from De Anima and Nicomachean Ethics (focusing on selections from Ackrill, J.L, A New Aristotle Reader, Oxford. 1987). Aristotle’s ideas will be brought into conversation with counterpart notions found in The Analects of Confucius. Students will explore the contemporary relevance of virtue ethics, and its credibility today, responding to current philosophical concerns. Themes in Alasdair Macintyre’s seminal After Virtue (1984) will be a major focus. Working together, students will carry out independent studies on selected topics which will form the basis of a small group presentation.