In this course, we will investigate the development of ancient western philosophical traditions, from the Pre-Socratic Greek philosophers through the Roman Stoics, looking closely at the questions that drove philosophy in Greece and Rome during these eras, including: What causes change? What is the soul? What is happiness? What does it mean to live a good life?  How can humans find happiness in a tumultuous world?

We will focus on an overarching theme that emerges when ancient Greek and Roman thinkers answer these questions: namely, that philosophy should be seen as a way of life—a set of practices and exercises—meant to help individuals and communities flourish.

We begin with the Pre-Socratics who apply rational inquiry to perennial questions about the ever-changing natural world and humans’ place in it, departing from the religious and mythological answers prevalent at the time. Moving on to Socrates and Plato, we focus on the nature of the soul and how one should cultivate a philosophical soul while living in a world of change and instability. Though Aristotle, Plato’s pupil, views the soul very differently from Socrates or Plato, he shares previous Greek philosophers’ interest in reflecting on how to live a good life given the nature of the human soul and the nature of the world we inhabit.

During the second half of the course, we turn to Epicureanism and Stoicism as represented in the writings of Cicero, Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius.  These traditions believe human flourishing depends upon training oneself to remain tranquil in the face of life’s upheaval and challenges. Though these traditions depart in significant ways from the views of the Classical Greek philosophers, regarding the nature of the soul and the nature of reality, they share the view that our knowledge of the natural world, the self and of philosophical discourse, should be understood as an integrated whole directed towards helping the practitioner live a meaningful life.

As we investigate what it meant for ancient thinkers to see philosophy as a way of life, we will also consider what it means for 21^st century individuals to consider similar questions, asking: ‘how can the tools and questions of ancient philosophy help us build meaningful lives today?’

Course requirements include attendance and participation, three two-page reading response papers, two four-page analysis papers and a final exam. Several sessions will be held off-site at locations of philosophical interest in Rome. 

This course is designed to help you:

1)    Read primary source texts from ancient Greek and Roman philosophy (in translation) carefully and thoroughly

2)    Understand key views in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy from the Pre-Socratics to the Roman Stoics, including connections and dissimilarities between various views

3)    Think carefully and critically through your own positions on important issues raised by these philosophers (i.e. what is a soul, what is happiness, what does it mean to live a good life, what constitutes human flourishing etc.)

4)    Write response papers that clearly describe the arguments and views of historical thinkers, as well as your responses to their views

5)    Write analytical papers that assert, develop and support an original thesis, using clear philosophical argumentation and textual evidence

6)    Express your own arguments and views clearly in class discussion and engage productively with the views of your classmates.

COURSE SCHEDULE