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political
science 404 / 514 Aristotle:
Nicomachean Ethics
Tuesday
evenings, 6-9 pm, Winter term
– 2005-06
email: Don.Carmichael@ualberta.ca 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. 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. Jonathan Barnes, Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction Gerard
Hughes, Aristotle on Ethics Course pack: Supplementary Readings for Pol S
404/514 Cooper,
"Friendship
and the Good in Aristotle", The Philosophical Review 86:3 (1977),
290-315 Aristotle, On the Soul Book 3, Parts 4-7, http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/soul.3.iii.html Rorty, “The Place of Contemplation in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics", Mind 87 (1978), 343-358 Nagel, "Aristotle on Eudaimionia", Phronesis 17 (1972), 252-59 Wilkes, "The Good Man and the Good for Man in Aristotle's Ethics", Mind 87 (1987), 553-571 |
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TUESDAY GROUP (11-13) : Topics & Readings Deadlines: essay # 1: due
in class, Tues Oct 25th (except for those doing seminar papers
Sept 20 - Oct 25) essay
# 2: due in class, Tues Nov 15th (except for those doing seminar
papers after Oct 25) essay
# 3: due Mon, Dec 12th Seminar
essays should be emailed in .rtf format to the group by midnight on the
Sunday before the essay is to be discussed Sept 13 – Introduction Sept 20
– The Nature of Ethics: Happiness,
Excellence & the Good Life Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 1. (Digest). Hughes,
Aristotle on Ethics, chs 1-2 (pp 1-19) Barnes:
Aristotle, A Very Short Introduction (at least chs 1-5, and 15-20 if not all
of it) seminar paper: Avro Nelson commentary:
Allan Delgado Sept 27
– Virtue, Character, & The
Mean Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 2 Everson,
“Psychology” (course pack) Barnes:
Aristotle, A Very Short Introduction (finish) seminar
paper: Danielle Taschereau-Mamers commentary:
Neil O'Connor Oct 4 –
Responsibility / The Virtues Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 3-4
(Digest Book 3 with a one paragraph summary of Book 4. seminar
paper: Rebecca Tekle commentary:
Avro Nelson Oct 11
– Justice Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 5. seminar
paper: Joel Fairbrother commentary:
Sarah Thompson Oct 18
– 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 seminar
paper: Adam Scrivens commentary:
Meena Gupta Oct 25
– Friendship (K essay # 1 due) Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 8‑9
(Digest both) Cooper,
“Friendship and the Good in Aristotle”, The Philosophical Review 86:3 (1977),
290-315 (e-journal) seminar
paper: Allan Delgado commentary:
Josh Welz Nov 1
– Happiness, Pleasure
& The Best Life Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 7 (chs 11-14) and Book 10. (Digest both) Suggested
further reading: Daedalus (Spring 2004) focussed on issues of
happiness. You may find some of
these articles helpful in sharpening your own thinking on the subject. Two articles (by Annas and Nussbaum)
which use Aristotle directly are cited in the “Further Readings” below. seminar
paper: Katharine Friesen commentary:
Matthew Smolak 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
interests to my attention. Nov
8 – Overview of Aristotelean Ethics:
Character & Virtue Hughes,
Aristotle on Ethics, pp 21-27 and 33-39 (in ch 3), and chs 1, 4 &
6 Burnyeat,
“Aristotle on Learning to be Good” (course pack) Review: Nicomachean Ethics, Books 2-4 (Bk 1
will be reviewed later, with Bk 10.) seminar
paper: Meena Gupta commentary:
Rebecca Tekle Nov 15 - Justice
and Practical Wisdom (contrasts with Socrates and Plato) (K essay # 2 due) Hughes,
chs 5 & 7 Annas,
“Aristotle on Pleasure and Goodness” (course pack) Review:
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 5-7. seminar
paper: Sarah Thompson commentary:
Joel Fairbrother Nov 22
– Friendship & the Social Character of Ethics Hughes
, ch 8 John
Cooper, “Aristotle on Friendship”
(course pack) Nussbaum,
“The Vulnerability of The Good Human Life” (course pack) Review,
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 8-9. seminar
paper: James Czank commentary:
Anton Szabo Nov 29
– Happiness and
Contemplation Hughes
, chs 3 (pp 21-33, 39-51) and 9 Rorty,
“The Place of Contemplation in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics”, Mind 87 (1978),
343-358 (e-journal) Review,
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 1 and 10. seminar
paper: Neil O'Connor
commentary: Danielle Taschereau-Mamers Dec
6 – Concluding topic: the best “best
life” Hughes
, ch 10 Nagel,
“Aristotle on Eudaimionia”,
Phronesis 17 (1972), 252-59 (e-journal) Wilkes,
“The Good Man and the Good for Man in Aristotle’s Ethics”, Mind 87 (1978),
553-571 (e-journal) seminar
paper: Josh Welz commentary:
Adam Scrivens Final Essay Due: Monday, Dec
12th WEDNESDAY GROUP (HC 2-34) : Topics & Readings Deadlines: essay # 1:
due in class, Wed Oct 26th (except for those doing seminar papers
Sept 21 - Oct 26) essay
# 2: due in class, Wed Nov 16th (except for those doing seminar papers
after Oct 26) essay
# 3: due Mon, Dec 12th
Seminar
essays should be emailed in .rtf format to the group by midnight on the
Monday before the essay is to be discussed Sept 14 –Introduction
Sept 21
– The Nature of Ethics: Happiness,
Excellence & the Good Life Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 1. (Digest). Hughes,
Aristotle on Ethics, chs 1-2 (pp 1-19) Barnes:
Aristotle, A Very Short Introduction (at least chs 1-5, and 15-20 if not all
of it) seminar paper: none Sept 28
– Virtue, Character, & The
Mean Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 2 Everson,
“Psychology” (course pack) Barnes:
Aristotle, A Very Short Introduction (finish) seminar paper: Spence Nichol commentary:
Aleks Ksiazkiewicz Oct 5 –
Responsibility / The Virtues Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 3-4
(Digest Bk 3 with a one paragraph summary of Bk 4.) seminar paper: Rob Ballingall commentary: Spence Nichol Oct
12 – Justice Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 5. seminar paper: Michelle Lennox commentary: Brennan Anderson Oct 19
– 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 seminar paper: Darcy Thiessen commentary:
tba Oct 26
– Friendship (K essay # 1 due) Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 8‑9
(Digest both) Cooper,
“Friendship and the Good in Aristotle”, The Philosophical Review 86:3 (1977),
290-315 (e-journal) seminar paper: Holly Arnason commentary:
Eric Reid Nov
2 – Happiness, Pleasure & The Best
Life Aristotle,
Nicomachean Ethics, Book 7 (chs 11-14) and Book 10. (Digest both) Suggested
further reading: Daedalus (Spring 2004) focussed on issues of
happiness. You may find some of
these articles helpful in sharpening your own thinking on the subject. Two articles (by Annas and Nussbaum)
which use Aristotle directly are cited in the “Further Readings” below. seminar paper:Aleks Ksiazkiewicz commentary:
Kendra Fiddler 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
interests to my attention. Nov 9
– Overview of Aristotelean Ethics: Character & Virtue Hughes,
Aristotle on Ethics, pp 21-27 and 33-39 (in ch 3), and chs 1, 4 &
6 Burnyeat,
“Aristotle on Learning to be Good” (course pack) Review: Nicomachean Ethics, Books 2-4 (Bk 1
will be reviewed later, with Bk 10.) seminar paper: Kendra Fiddler commentary:
Rob Ballingall Nov 16
– Justice and Practical
Wisdom (contrasts with Socrates and Plato) (K essay # 2 due) Hughes,
chs 5 & 7 Annas,
“Aristotle on Pleasure and Goodness” (course pack) Review:
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 5-7. seminar paper: Maya Gordon commentary:
Sukaina Hirji Nov 23
– Friendship & the Social Character of Ethics Hughes
, ch 8 John
Cooper, “Aristotle on Friendship”
(course pack) Nussbaum,
“The Vulnerability of The Good Human Life” (course pack) Review,
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 8-9. seminar paper: Eric Reid commentary:
Michelle Lennox Nov 30
– Happiness and
Contemplation Hughes
, chs 3 (pp 21-33, 39-51) and 9 Rorty,
“The Place of Contemplation in Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics”, Mind 87
(1978), 343-358
(e-journal) Review,
Nicomachean Ethics, Books 1 and 10. seminar paper: Brennan Anderson commentary:
Maya Gordon Dec 7 –
Concluding topic: the best “best
life” Hughes
, ch 10 Nagel,
“Aristotle on Eudaimionia”,
Phronesis 17 (1972), 252-59 (e-journal) Wilkes,
“The Good Man and the Good for Man in Aristotle’s Ethics”, Mind 87 (1978),
553-571 (e-journal) seminar paper: Sukaina Hirji commentary:
Holly Arnason Final Essay Due: Monday,
Dec 12th FURTHER READING (ADVANCED) 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. All references
are to e-journals. Nov 1
– Happiness, Pleasure & The Best Life Julia Annas, “Happiness as Achievement”, Daedalus 133:2 (Spring 2004) Martha C. Nussbaum, “Mill between Aristotle &
Bentham”, Daedalus 133:2 (Spring 2004) Nov
8 – Overview of Aristotelean Ethics:
Character & Virtue Aristotle,
On the Soul Book 3, Parts 4-7, available on line at
http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/soul.3.iii.html Michael S. Kochin, “Individual Narrative And
Political Character”, Review of Metaphysics 55:4 (2002) Christopher Mirus, “Aristotle’s Agathon”, Review of
Metaphysics 57 (March, 2004) David Wiggins, “Neo-Aristotelian Reflections on
Justice”, Mind 113 (July 2004) Nov 15
– Practical Wisdom &
The Virtues Arash Abizadeh, “The Passions of the Wise:
Phronęsis, Rhetoric, and Aristotle's Passionate Practical Deliberation”,
Review of Metaphysics 56:2 (December 2002) Alex
John London, “Moral knowledge and the Acquisition of Virtue in Aristotle’s
Nicomachean and Eudemian Ethics”,
Review of Metaphysics 54 (March 2001) Nussbaum,
“The Discernment of Perception” (course pack) Nov 22
– Friendship & the Social Character of Ethics Robert
Sokolowski, Phenomenology of Friendship”, Review of Metaphysics 55 (March
2002) Nov 29
– Happiness and Contemplation Julia
Annas, “Happiness as Achievement”,
Daedalus 133:2 (Spring 2004) Jonathan
Jacobs, “Why Is Virtue Naturally Pleasing?”, Review of Metaphysics
49:1 (1995) Martha C. Nussbaum, “Mill between Aristotle &
Bentham”, Daedalus 133:2 (Spring 2004) Dec
6 – Concluding topic: the best “best
life” Stephen Buckle, “Aristotle’s Republic: or, Why
Aristotle’s Ethics is Not Virtue Ethics”, Philosophy 77 (2002) Gary Gurtler, “The Activity of Happiness in
Aristotle's Ethics”, Review of Metaphysics 56:4 (June 2003) Topics if You’re
Stuck
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. |
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