PY2216/PY3216 Ancient Ethics
Spring 2026
This module will be a close study of Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, one of the most famous books in the history of philosophy. We shall read the entire text closely, digging deep into Aristotle’s account of the virtues, pleasure, value, friendship, and what a good life looks like. We shall examine his arguments but also think about what lessons we can learn from Aristotle about how to live a good life.
Our core text will be Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (standardly abbreviated as EN). I recommend the translation by David Ross, edited by Lesley Brown in the Oxford World’s Classics series (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009). You should expect to buy a copy of this book.
Our topics will be:
For some gentle background reading about Aristotle’s life and work you might look at J. Sellars, Aristotle: Understanding the World’s Greatest Philosopher (London: Pelican, 2023).
Our core text will be Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics (standardly abbreviated as EN). I recommend the translation by David Ross, edited by Lesley Brown in the Oxford World’s Classics series (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009). You should expect to buy a copy of this book.
Our topics will be:
- What is good?
(Reading: EN 1) - What is virtue?
(Reading: EN 2) - Making choices
(Reading: EN 3.1-5) - The virtues
(Reading: EN 3.6-12 & 4) - Justice
(Reading: EN 5) - Intellectual virtue
(Reading: EN 6) - Weakness of will
(Reading: EN 7.1-10) - Pleasure
(Reading: EN 7.11-14 & 10.1-5) - Friendship
(Reading: EN 8 & 9) - The contemplative life
(Reading: EN 10.6-9)
For some gentle background reading about Aristotle’s life and work you might look at J. Sellars, Aristotle: Understanding the World’s Greatest Philosopher (London: Pelican, 2023).
