Aristotle's Ethics
| Module title | Aristotle's Ethics |
|---|---|
| Module code | PHL2114 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Edward Skidelsky (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
The Nicomachean Ethics, written about 350 BC, is the best known work of the Greek philosopher Aristotle and one of the most influential treatises on ethics ever. Its original title was “Ta Ethika,” meaning “things concerning character.” In it, Aristotle analyses the notions of character, action and responsibility; discusses various virtues including wisdom, courage, justice, wit and generosity; distinguishes different forms of friendship; and paints a picture the ideal life.
In this module, we will analyse Aristotle’s Ethics book by book, relating it both to its historical context and to modern debates in moral philosophy.
This module is suitable for students taking philosophy or other subjects. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to introduce you to one of the most influential books of Western philosophy, Aristotle’s Ethics, and to encourage you to think carefully about some of the key issues in moral philosophy. Study on this module will enrich your grasp of central ideas and concepts that are vital to both a historical appreciation of the development of philosophical of ethics, and to understanding contemporary debates on ethics. You will enhance your skills of interpretation, analysis and evaluation through careful and detailed close textual study of what is perhaps the most important work of moral philosophy.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. engage in in-depth study of a text through detailed reading and analysis;
- 2. understand the historical and social context of production of the philosophical book;
- 3. question/criticise the texts approach from different perspectives.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. reason about the abstract and concrete problems addressed in texts;
- 5. write well-argued essays using appropriate philosophical arguments and language;
- 6. reason about the abstract and concrete problems addressed in texts.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. construct and evaluate arguments;
- 8. formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction;
- 9. assess, analyse, discuss, and criticise the views of others;
- 10. demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
1. Introduction
2. Book 1
3. Book 2
4. Book 3
5. Book 4
6. Book 6
7. Book 7
8. Book 8
9. Book 9
10. Book 10
11. Summary and Revision
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 22 | 11 x 2 hours per week comprising of lectures and seminars |
| Guided independent study | 66 | Reading and preparation for weekly seminar analysis and discussion of the core text |
| Guided independent study | 36 | Preparation for assigned essay |
| Guided independent study | 26 | Reading materials to supplement the core text |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 250 words | 1-9 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50 | 1,000 words | 1-9 | Written |
| Exam | 50 | 1 hour 30 mins | 1-10 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (1,000 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Exam | Exam (1 hour 30 mins) | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
The key text for the course will be:
Aristotle, Ethics, ed. Sarah Broadie and Christopher Rowe. (Oxford University Press, 2002).
We will be using this edition. Please do not purchase any other.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | none |
| Module co-requisites | none |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 11/03/2019 |
| Last revision date | 02/02/2022 |
