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political
science 404 / 514 Aristotle:
Nicomachean Ethics
Tuesday
evenings, 6-9 pm, Winter term
– 2003-04
email: Don.Carmichael@ualberta.ca NB:
First Class (Tues, Jan 6th)
This course will be a seminar on Aristotle's
Nicomachean Ethics, with particular attention to the account of justice,
human excellence, practical wisdom, and the importance of certain social
goods (love, friendship, political participation) in human well‑being. Aristotle's views on these topics
will be contrasted with Plato's very different account in Republic. But the focus will be on Aristotle's
work and the issues it raises.
Some of the Politics may be included – this is as yet undecided. The seminar will have two stages. In effect, we will work through
Aristotle's account twice. The
first time, the focus will be on
understanding what Aristotle means.
Having done this, we will work through his account again; this time,
aided by some recent essays, the aim will be to assess Aristotle's account
critically. Students will be
expected to participate in both aims. The course will be conducted as a seminar. Students will be expected to
contribute actively in discussions and the seminar will be organized around
the presentation of student papers. Two short papers (5‑7 pp) will be required, plus a
somewhat longer paper (7-10 pp) at the end of the term. One of the short papers will be
distributed and discussed as a seminar paper in the class. Students will be able to choose their
own topics for all three papers, and they will be able to choose their own
due dates for the two short papers during the term. Students will also be expected to prepare a brief digest
(1‑2 pp) of the readings each week as an aid to critical reading and mastery
of the text. These will be due
each week before the class; (though everyone will get 2 weeks off of their
own choosing) Essay Requirements All essays should be terse, analytical, and
"positional" ‑‑ arguing a definite thesis in relation to some
aspect of the readings. Students are encouraged to develop their own views in
these essays ‑‑ eg, by contesting a specific claim made by Aristotle, or by
arguing a rival thesis on the topic, or (in certain cases) by writing a
critical response to a fellow student in the seminar. The only requirement is that the
essay argue a specific and explicitly stated thesis ("In this essay I will argue that... "). Grades* Essays:
(3 @ equal weight)**
80% Commentary
10% contributions to the seminar*** 10% ‑‑‑‑‑ 100% * The reading digests ‑‑ which
must be submitted each week before the seminar ‑‑ will be graded only
as satisfactory/ unsatisfactory.
But they are a necessity and marks will be deducted from the final
grade (up to two stanines) for missing digests (note again that everyone gets
two weeks off, at dates of their own choosing). ** As noted above, one of the essays
will be discussed in the class as a seminar paper. Students will be asked to make
copies of their seminar papers available one or two days in advance, by some
date/time and in a format agreed by members of the class. It is an essential course
requirement that seminar papers be available by the agreed time -- failure to
do so will result in an automatic zero. ***
Seminar contributions will ordinarily be evaluated by the quality of
oral contributions, including questions. Alternative forms of seminar contribution are possible,
and students who are uncomfortable with speaking in the seminar are invited
to explore these with me. Texts Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (Ross
translation: Oxford University Press). All participants are asked to use this even if they
already have some other edition. A.
O. Rorty (ed), Essays on Aristotle's Ethics Suggestions for Advance
Reading For background, in the first weeks of the seminar
all participants will be asked to read Ross’s introduction to the text, PLUS
one other brief general introduction to Aristotle's life and times. Barnes (Aristotle) is especially
recommended; other good brief accounts are by Ackrill (Aristotle The
Philosopher) and Taylor (Aristotle); Ross (Aristotle) is also recommended but
a bit more difficult); and the Cambridge Companion (ed Barnes) is excellent. There are several copies of each work
in the library. For a more
adventurous ‑‑ and generally superb ‑‑ discussion of some of the themes of
the seminar, try M.C. Nussbaum's The Fragility of Goodness, Part III (esp.
chs 8, 10, 11). SEMINAR SCHEDULE: Topics And Required Readings This
seminar calendar outlines topics and required readings. A list of
supplementary readings for further reference will be issued separately, along
with some possible essay topics for the first few weeks to help you get
going. Preliminary In
the first two weeks of the seminar all participants should read the
introduction to the text PLUS a
brief general outline of Aristotle's philosophy and times. Barnes (Aristotle) is
recommended. Other good brief
accounts are by Ackrill (Aristotle The Philosopher) and Taylor (Aristotle). Ross (Aristotle) is also
recommended but a bit more difficult.
The Cambridge Companion (ed Barnes) is longer but excellent. There are several copies of each work
in the library. Jan 13 – The
Nature of Ethics: Happiness, Excellence & the Good Life Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 1. (Digest). introduction to the text. one other general account of Aristotle's life and
times, as indicated above. Jan 20 – Virtue, Character, & The Mean Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 2 Jan 27 – Responsibility / The Virtues Aristotle, Nicomachean
Ethics, Books 3-4 (Digest
Book 3 with a one paragraph summary of Book 4.) Feb 3 –
Justice Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 5. Feb 10 – Practical Wisdom / The Critique of Socrates Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 6 and Book 7 (chs 1-10). (Digest both)
Note:
The rest of Book 7 (chs 11-14) will be considered with Book 10 Feb 17 – Reading Week Feb 24 – Friendship Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 8‑9
(Digest both) the
first half (pp 301-17) of Cooper, in Rorty, essay 17 . Mar. 2 – Happiness,
Pleasure & The Best Life Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 7 (chs 11-14) and Book 10. (Digest both) Note: Topics
and readings for the remainder of the course are provisional and may be
changed to take up issues of particular interest. Please bring any issues that interest you to my attention. Mar. 9 – Overview
of Aristotelean Ethics: Character & Virtue Rorty,
essays 3, 5, & 7 (Irwin, Burnyeat, Kosman) Review: Nicomachean Ethics, Books 2-5 (Bk 1
will be reviewed later, with Bk 10.) Mar. 16 – Practical
Wisdom & The Virtues Rorty,
essays 12, 15 and 13 (pp 221-27, 231-40)* (Sorabji, Rorty, Wiggins) *
in the Wiggins essay (13), cut pp 227-31 (“Rejection of the Second Thesis”) Review:
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 6-7. Mar. 23 – Friendship & the Social Character of Ethics Rorty, essay 17 (Cooper): the second half, pp 317-34) Rorty,
essay 21 (Nussbaum) Review,
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 8-9. Mar 30 – Happiness,
the Best Life, and Contemplation
Rorty,
essays 18, 20 (Wilkes, Rorty) Apr. 6 – Concluding
topics: justice and happiness. Rorty, essays 11, 1 (Williams, Nagel) one
other reading tba Final Essay Due: Monday,
Apr 12th These topics aren’t particularly recommended. In fact, they aren’t
very good – any topic you make up will be better than any of these. But if you’re stuck for a topic,
these might help you get going .... The Nature of Ethics: Happiness, Excellence &
the Good Life 1.
Aristotle claims: “you cannot quite regard a man as happy if he is
very ugly to look at or of humble origin ...”? 2. Is
Aristotle right that good persons will be happy -- no matter what tragedy
befalls them or those for whom
they care? (Imagine a parent
whose child is killed ... if the parent was unhappy would this indicate that
something was wrong with him/her (or that s/he was not a good person)? Virtue, Character, & the Mean 1. Test
what Aristotle says about responsibility by considering a case of death
resulting from drunk driving: what degree of punishment (blame) would he
consider appropriate, and would he be right? 2. In the case of domestic violence (or
a death resulting from drunk driving), what should be the main concern of the
judicial system in determining guilt and punishment: the act, or the effects
of the act, or the intent and mental state of the individual doing it? The Virtues
1. Do
you agree with Aristotle’s list of the virtues? For example, why isn’t compassion (or empathy or
sensitivity) on the list?
Does he understand courage the right way? 2. If magnificence
is a virtue, doesn't this mean that an individual can be a better person and
have a better life if they are wealthy than if they are poor? Practical Wisdom / Weakness of the Will 1. Which is worse: cowardice, or a
violent temper? 2. Neoptolemus
told a lie in order to bring the Trojan war to an end. Surely it was justified by the good
consequences it brought about.
But Aristotle suggests (twice) that it was wrong. Why? Friendship In Plato's Republic Polemarchos defines
"justice" as "giving benefits to friends and harms to
enemies". Many philosophers
today reject this view on the grounds that one should never consider whether
another person is a friend or enemy in deciding how to treat them. But wouldn't Aristotle say that the
best person does exactly this, and isn't he right? Happiness, Pleasure & the Best Life Who has the best (or happiest) life: the person who
is (a) morally good, (b) actively involved in the community, or (c) a
scholar. ADVANCED READING AND FURTHER
REFERENCE These supplementary readings are listed for those
who might want to do further work on particular topics. They are not required for the
seminars or essays. In addition
to the works listed below, students might want to consult the relevant
sections (philosophical introduction and commentary) of S. Broadie and C.
Rowe, Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics. Introduction: Some Current Perspectives on Ethics
& Politics Aristotle,
Politics, Book I (1-2). R.
Bodeus, The Political Dimensions of Aristotle’s Ethics. D.
Keyt and F. Miller (eds) A Companion to Aristotle’s Politics, esp essay 3
(Adkins) R.
Kraut, Aristotle, ch 1. F.
Miller, Nature, Justice and Rights in Aristotle’s Politics, chs 1-2, 9. Salkever,
Finding The Mean. The Nature of Ethics: Happiness, Excellence &
the Good Life Aristotle,
Eudemian Ethics, Book 1; Magna Moralia, Book 1 (1‑4). Aquinas, Commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean
Ethics, Bk 1. J. Barnes et al (eds), Articles on Aristotle, vol.
2, essay 3 Kenny). D.
Bostock, Aristotle’s Ethics, ch 1 S. Broadie, Ethics With Aristotle, ch.1. W.F.R.
Hardie, Aristotle's Ethical Theory, chs. 1‑5. H.H.
Joachim, The Nicomachean Ethics, Book 1. A. Kenny, Aristotle on The Perfect Life, chs 1-3. A.O. Rorty (ed), Essays on Aristotle's Ethics,
essays 1‑3 (Nagel, Akrill, Irwin). F.
Sparshott, Taking Life Seriously, ch.1 R.J. Sullivan, Morality and The Good Life, chs 1-2. A
Tessitore, Reading Aristotle’s Ethics, ch. 1. Virtue, Character, & the Mean Aristotle,
Eudemian Ethics, Books 2-3; Magna Moralia, Book 1 (5‑22). Aristotle,
Poetics; Rhetoric Book 2 (1‑20). Aquinas, Commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean
Ethics, Bks 2-3. J. Barnes et al (eds), Articles on Aristotle, vol.
2, essays 4-5 (Hardie, Furley). D.
Bostock, Aristotle’s Ethics, chs 2, 5 S. Broadie, Ethics With Aristotle, chs 2-3. W.F.R.
Hardie, Aristotle's Ethical Theory, chs. 7‑9. H.H.
Joachim, The Nicomachean Ethics, Books 2-3. A. Kenny, Aristotle on The Perfect Life, chs 5-6. A.O. Rorty (ed), Essays, 5-10 (Burnyeat, Akrill, Kosman, Irwin,
Urmson*, Pears). F.
Sparshott, Taking Life Seriously, ch. 2, pp. 70 - 153. R.J. Sullivan, Morality and The Good Life, chs 3-4. A
Tessitore, Reading Aristotle’s Ethics, ch. 2. Justice & Other Virtues Aristotle,
Eudemian Ethics, Book 3; Magna Moralia, Book 1 (23-33) & Book 2 (1‑2). Aristotle,
Rhetoric, Book 1 (10‑15). Aquinas, Commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean
Ethics, Bks 4-5. R. Bambrough, "Aristotle on Justice", in
R. Bambrough (ed), New Essays. D.
Bostock, Aristotle’s Ethics, ch 3 W.F.R. Hardie, Aristotle's Ethical Theory, ch. 10. H.H.
Joachim, The Nicomachean Ethics, Books 4-5. D. Keyt and F.D. Miller (eds), Companion, essays 11‑12, (Keyt,
Miller). R.
Kraut, Aristotle, ch 4. F.
Miller, Nature, Justice and Rights in Aristotle’s Politics, chs 3-4. A.O. Rorty (ed), Essays on Aristotle's Ethics, essay
11 (Williams). F.
Sparshott, Taking Life Seriously, ch. 2, pp 153-196. A
Tessitore, Reading Aristotle’s Ethics, ch. 2. Practical Wisdom / Weakness of the Will Aristotle,
Magna Moralia, Book 1 (34) & Book 2 (3‑6). G.E.M. Anscombe, "Thought and Action in
Aristotle", in Bambrough, New Essays. Aquinas, Commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean
Ethics, Bks 6-7. J.
Barnes et al (eds), Articles on Aristotle, vol. 2, essays 7-8 (Allan, Robinson). D.
Bostock, Aristotle’s Ethics, chs 4,6 S. Broadie, Ethics With Aristotle, chs 4-5. W.F.R.
Hardie, Aristotle's Ethical Theory, chs. 11‑14. H.H.
Joachim, The Nicomachean Ethics, Books 6‑7. D. McKerlie, "The Practical Syllogism and
Akrasia", CJP 21:3 (Sept. 1991), 299‑321. C..
Natali, The Wisdom of Aristotle, chs 1-3. M. Nussbaum, The Fragility of Goodness, chs 8, 10. A.O. Rorty (ed), Essays, 12‑16, (Sorabji, Wiggins*, Wiggins, Rorty,
Annas*) . F.
Sparshott, Taking Life Seriously, ch. 2, pp 153-196. R.J. Sullivan, Morality and The Good Life, chs 5-6. A
Tessitore, Reading Aristotle’s Ethics, ch. 3. Friendship Aristotle,
Eudemian Ethics, Book 7 (1-12); Magna Moralia, Book 2 (11‑17). Aquinas, Commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean
Ethics, Bks 8-9. D.
Bostock, Aristotle’s Ethics, ch 8 W.F.R.
Hardie, Aristotle's Ethical Theory, ch. 15. H.H.
Joachim, The Nicomachean Ethics, Books 8‑9. A. Kenny, Aristotle on The Perfect Life, ch 4. M. Nussbaum, The Fragility of Goodness, chs. 11‑12
(esp 12). A.O. Rorty (ed), Essays, essay 17 (Cooper). P. Schollmeier, Other Selves. F.
Sparshott, Taking Life Seriously, ch. 4. S. Stern-Gillet, Aristotle's Philosophy of
Friendship. A
Tessitore, Reading Aristotle’s Ethics, ch. 4. Happiness, Pleasure & the Best Life Aristotle, Eudemian Ethics, Book 7 (13‑15); Magna
Moralia, Book 2 (7‑10). Aristotle, Protrepticus Aquinas, Commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean
Ethics, Bk 10. J. Barnes et al (eds), Articles, vol. 2, essays 1,8, 10 (Flashar,
Owen, Defourney). D.
Bostock, Aristotle’s Ethics, chs 7, 9 S. Broadie, Ethics With Aristotle, chs 6-7. W.F.R.
Hardie, Aristotle's Ethical Theory, chs. 14, 16. H.H.
Joachim, The Nicomachean Ethics, Book 9. A. Kenny, Aristotle on The Perfect Life, chs 7-8. C..
Natali, The Wisdom of Aristotle, ch. 4. M. Nussbaum, The Fragility of Goodness, appendix to
part III. A.O. Rorty (ed), Essays, 16, 18, 20 (esp 16, 18)
(Annas*, Wilkes*, Rorty). F.
Sparshott, Taking Life Seriously, chs 5-7. R.J.
Sullivan, Morality and The Good Life, chs 8-9. A
Tessitore, Reading Aristotle’s Ethics, ch. 5. Overview of Aristotelean Ethics: Action, Character
& Virtue Aristotle,
Eudemian Ethics, Books 2-3;
Magna Moralia, Book 1 (5‑22). Aristotle,
Poetics; Rhetoric Book 2 (1‑20). J. Annas, The Morality of Happiness, chs 1-2. J. Barnes et al (eds), Articles on Aristotle, vol.
2, essays 4-5 (Hardie, Furley). S. Broadie, Ethics With Aristotle, chs 2-3. A. Kenny, Aristotle on The Perfect Life, chs 5-6. T.
Roche (ed), Aristotle’s Ethics: papers by Cooper and Striker. A.O. Rorty (ed), Essays, 1-2 (Nagel, Akrill). Salkever,
Finding The Mean, chs 1-3. N.
Sherman, The Fabric of Character, chs 1-3. N.
Sherman (ed), Aristotle’s Ethics: essay by Annas. F. Sparshott, Taking Life Seriously, ch.1, ch. 2,
pp. 70 - 153. A
Tessitore, Reading Aristotle’s Ethics, ch. 2. Practical Wisdom / The Critique of Socrates Aristotle,
Magna Moralia, Book 1 (34) & Book 2 (3‑6). G.E.M. Anscombe, "Thought and Action in
Aristotle", in Bambrough, New Essays. G.
Anagnostopoulos, Aristotle on The Goals and Exactness of Ethics. J. Annas, The Morality of Happiness, chs 3-9. J.
Barnes et al (eds), Articles on Aristotle, vol. 2, essays 7-8 (Allan, Robinson). S. Broadie, Ethics With Aristotle, chs 4-5. J.
Cooper, Reason and Human Good in Aristotle. D.
McKerlie, "The Practical Syllogism and Akrasia", CJP 21:3 (Sept.
1991), 299‑321. C..
Natali, The Wisdom of Aristotle, chs 1-3. M.
Nussbaum, The Fragility of Goodness, chs 8, 10. C.D.C. Reeve, Practices of Reason, parts 1-2. T.
Roche (ed), Aristotle’s Ethics: papers by Irwin, McDowell, Sauve and Whiting. A.O. Rorty (ed), Essays, essays 12, 14-15 (Sorabji, Wiggins, Rorty). Salkever,
Finding The Mean, chs 1-3. N.
Sherman, The Fabric of Character, chs 1-2, 5. N.
Sherman (ed), Aristotle’s Ethics: essays by Nussbaum, Mele. F.
Sparshott, Taking Life Seriously, ch. 2, pp 153-196. A
Tessitore, Reading Aristotle’s Ethics, ch. 3. Friendship & the Social Character of Ethics Aristotle, Eudemian Ethics, Book 7 (1-12); Magna
Moralia, Book 2 (11‑17). Aristotle, Politics, Book I. J. Annas, The Morality of Happiness, chs 10-12, 14. A. Kenny, Aristotle on The Perfect Life, ch 4. M. Nussbaum, The Fragility of Goodness. T.
Roche (ed), Aristotle’s Ethics: papers by Annas and Kraut. P. Schollmeier, Other Selves. F.
Sparshott, Taking Life Seriously, ch. 4. N.
Sherman, The Fabric of Character, ch 4. . S.
Stern-Gillet, Aristotle's Philosophy of Friendship. A
Tessitore, Reading Aristotle’s Ethics, ch. 4. Happiness, The Best Life, & The Question of
Contemplation Aristotle,
Eudemian Ethics, Books 1 and 7 (13-15); Magna Moralia, 1 (1‑4), 2 (7-10). Aristotle, Protrepticus J. Annas, The Morality of Happiness, chs 15-21. J. Barnes et al (eds), Articles, vol. 2, # 1,3, 8,
10 (Flashar, Kenny, Owen, Defourney). S. Broadie, Ethics With Aristotle, chs. 1, 6-7. A. Kenny, Aristotle on The Perfect Life, chs 1-3,
7-8. C..
Natali, The Wisdom of Aristotle, ch. 4. M. Nussbaum, The Fragility of Goodness, appendix to
part III. C.D.C. Reeve, Practices of Reason, parts 3-4. T.
Roche (ed), Aristotle’s Ethics: papers by N. White, Devereux, and S. White. A.O. Rorty (ed), Essays, 2, 3, 19 (Akrill, Irwin, McDowell). S.G. Salkever, Finding The Mean. F.
Sparshott, Taking Life Seriously, chs 5-7. N.
Sherman (ed), Aristotle’s Ethics: essays by Irwin and Kraut. A
Tessitore, Reading Aristotle’s Ethics, ch. 5. Justice Aristotle,
Eudemian Ethics, Book 3; Magna Moralia, Book 1 (23-33) & Book 2 (1‑2). J. Annas, The Morality of Happiness, ch 13. R. Bambrough, "Aristotle on Justice", in
R. Bambrough (ed), New Essays. R.
Bosley, et al, (eds) Virtue and The Mean. R. Groenhout, “The Ethics of Care”, in C. Freeland (ed), Feminist Interpretations. D. Keyt and F.D. Miller (eds), A Companion, 11‑12,
(Keyt, Miller). R.
Kraut, Aristotle, ch 4. F.
Sparshott, Taking Life Seriously, ch. 2, pp 153-196. N.
Sherman (ed), Aristotle’s Ethics: essay by Hursthouse. A
Tessitore, Reading Aristotle’s Ethics, ch. 2. The Best Life for All? / Aristotle as a Philosopher J.
Annas, The Morality of Happiness, ch 22. W.
Jaegar, Aristotle, esp. ch. 15. D.
Keyt and F.D. Miller (eds), A Companion to Aristotle's Politics, essay 8 (Stalley). M. Nussbaum, The Fragility of Goodness. C.
Freeland (ed), Feminist
Interpretations of Aristotle Salkever,
Finding The Mean, ch 4-6. N.
Sherman (ed), Aristotle’s Ethics: essay by Homiak. S. Stern-Gillet, Aristotle's Philosophy of Friendship. |
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