PHIL30590 Aristotle: Ethics & Politics

Academic Year 2020/2021

Aristotle's 'Nicomachean Ethics' and 'Politics' are masterpieces of moral and political philosophy, and remain of great interest and influence today. As Aristotle sees it, ethics and politics are both concerned with the same thing: the pursuit of happiness. In the 'Nicomachean Ethics' he is concerned with identifying what an individual's happiness consists in, while in the 'Politics' he attempts to identify which political system will best promote the happiness of each citizen. In this module we will examine the key doctrines that Aristotle argues for in these seminal texts. Aristotle's work will be examined in its appropriate historical and philosophical context, in particular in relation to his great predecessors, Socrates and Plato.
Every student of philosophy should have the opportunity to read and study the 'Nicomachean Ethics'; it is a classic philosophical text, taught in every respectable philosophy department in the world. By looking also at the 'Politics', we will get a complete view on what Aristotle himself called 'the Philosophy of Human Life'.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the module diligent students should be able to: understand and interpret critically key passages of the Nicomachean Ethics and the Politics in English translation; identify, understand, and explain in detail the key features and principles of Aristotle's practical philosophy; explain and critically evaluate Aristotle's arguments in defence of his ethical and political conclusions; explain and assess Aristotle's criticisms of rival ethical views; discern and clarify the psychological and metaphysical presumptions that influence Aristotle's practical philosophy; display a familiarity with Ancient Greek ethics in general; appreciate the continuing influence of Aristotelian practical philosophy in modern philosophy and political theory.

Indicative Module Content:

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20

Tutorial

7

Autonomous Student Learning

98

Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Forthcoming 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHIL20350 - Aristotle: Ethics and Politics


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: < Description > Week 12 n/a Graded No

65

Essay: < Description > Unspecified n/a Graded Yes

35


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Armando Francesco D'Ippolito Tutor