ARISTOTLE

Catalog description

This course focuses on the philosophy of Aristotle by studying selected works in their relation to one another. The aim is to understand Aristotle as nearly as possible as he understood himself by attempting to get a comprehensive understanding of individual works and by relating those works to the themes that unite Aristotle’s philosophical thinking. Typically, texts that complement one another will be chosen, such as On the Soul and Nicomachean Ethics. A central concern of the course is contemplative activity, understood as the best life for human beings, understood as political animals. To the extent that it illuminates Aristotle, his thought will be contrasted with that preceding him (especially Plat o’s) and that following him (especially medieval and modern thought). Prerequisites: PHIL 205, PHIL 206, PHIL 302.