PHIL101D CM - Classical Ethical Theory: Stoics, Skeptics, and Epicureans

How should I live my life? What are my moral obligations? How do I sustain my moral commitments in situations of temptation and duress? The Greek and Roman philosophers of the Hellenistic period (4^th century BC to 2^nd century AD) pursued these questions in one of the most vigorous and probing debates in the history of Western philosophy. The Stoics identified happiness with virtue, the Epicureans with pleasure, and the Skeptics with the acceptance of one’s intellectual limitations. This course will focus on a close study of these three schools of philosophy. We will study the writings of figures ranging from Epictetus, a freed slave, to Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor.

Prerequisite: One prior course in philosophy or permission of instructor

Offered: Every third year

Credit: 1

Course Number: PHIL101D CM