Aristotle's Ethical Psychology

Catalog description

Graduate seminar. 2-unit option only for Phil PhDs beyond the second year. In this seminar, we'll examine some of the central issues in Aristotle's Ethical Psychology. Topics include: (1) weakness of will (acrasia), (2) self-control, (3) what the virtuous know and how they know it, (4) ethical training and learning to be good, (5) the nature of the fine (the kalon), (6) the nature of non-rational motivations, (7) the nature of particular character virtues such as courage and moderation, (8) the nature and ethical role of pleasure, (9) Aristotle's views on the use of reasoning and persuasion in ethical education, and (10) the nature and ethical role of emotion.