University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: UPZPMU-30-2 Title: Hellenistic Philosophy Version: 1

Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: SSH Field: Philosophy

Faculty Committee approval: QSC Date: 25 February 2009

Approved for Delivery by:

( indicate name of affiliated institution if module will only be delivered by them)

Valid from: September 2009 Discontinued from: n/a

Contributes towards: Awards up to BA(Hons)

Pre-requisites: UPZPMS-30-1 Ancient Philosophy

Co-requisites: None

Entry requirements:

(If the module is offered as CPD or stand alone, indicate the entry requirements)

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

On successful completion of the module students will be able to

    1. Demonstrate an ability to use a range of logical, analytic and theoretical tools in the analysis of problems from Hellenistic philosophy (assessed at all assessment points)

    2. Demonstrate transferable written skills in the presentation and analysis of arguments (assessed at all assessment points)

    3. Demonstrate an ability to assess the validity as well as the force of philosophical arguments (assessed at all assessment points)

Syllabus outline:

This module examines the Hellenistic philosophies of Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Academic and Pyrrhonian Scepticism, which all flourished in the period after Plato and Aristotle. The period is marked by the idea that philosophy be conceived as a way of life, in which claims about the nature of the physical world or what we can know are seen to have direct implications for how one lives. It is also a period especially rich for inter-school argument, with Stoics and Epicureans arguing against one another and Sceptics questioning the assumptions of both. We shall examine ideas and arguments concerned with knowledge, cosmology, psychology, pleasure, virtue, emotions, determinism, politics, death, fortune, and tranquillity.

Teaching and learning methods:

Teaching will involve lectures and seminars, with seminars being used throughout the module for student discussions and critical assessment of both ancient philosophical arguments and modern interpretations.

Reading Strategy

Students will be expected to purchase a core textbook of translated texts, with any additional primary texts being made available electronically via Blackboard. Full use of both printed material and electronic journals will be encouraged and detailed guidance for week-by-week reading will be offered in the module Handbook.

Indicative Reading List

Primary

Inwood, B & Gerson, L, eds, (1997), Hellenistic Philosophy, Indianapolis 2nd edn

Long, A A &. Sedley, D N, eds, (1987), The Hellenistic Philosophers, 2 vols Cambridge

Cicero, On Academic Scepticism, trans. C. Brittain (Indianapolis, 2006)

Cicero, On Moral Ends, ed. J. Annas, trans. R. Woolf (Cambridge, 2001)

Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Scepticism, trans. J. Annas & J. Barnes (Cambridge, 1994)

Secondary

Annas J, (1992), Hellenistic Philosophy of Mind Berkeley

Annas, J & Barnes, J (1985),The Modes of Scepticism Cambridge

Algra K et al., eds, (1999),The Cambridge History of Hellenistic Philosophy Cambridge

Burnyeat, M & Frede, M eds, (1997), The Original Sceptics: A Controversy Indianapolis

Hankinson, R J, (1995), The Sceptics London

Inwood, B ed, (2003), The Cambridge Companion to The Stoics Cambridge

Long, A A (1974), Hellenistic Philosophy London

Long, A A ed., (1971), Problems in Stoicism London

Nussbaum, M (1994),The Therapy of Desire: Theory and Practice in Hellenistic Ethics Princeton

Rist, J M (1972), Epicurus Cambridge

Rist, J M ed., (1978) The Stoics Berkeley

Sandbach, F H (1975),The Stoics London

Sellars, J (2003), The Art of Living: the Stoics on the Nature and Function of Philosophy Aldershot

Sellars, J (2006), Stoicism Chesham / Berkeley

Sharples, R W (1996), Stoics, Epicureans, and Sceptics London

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 40% B: 60%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1 Exam (3hrs) 40%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1 Essay (2500 words) 30%

2 Essay (2500 words) 30%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1 Exam (3hrs) 40%

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

1 Essay (2500 words) 30%

2 Essay (2500 words) 30%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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