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Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors

Approx. 15 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course explores the teachings of Aristotle, one of the most influential philosophers in history. Through his works, students will gain insight into topics such as ethics, politics, and metaphysics.

Key Learning Points

Gain a comprehensive understanding of Aristotle's philosophy
Explore the relevance of Aristotle's teachings in modern society
Develop critical thinking and analytical skills

Learning Outcomes

Understand the key principles of Aristotle's philosophy
Apply Aristotle's teachings to modern society
Develop analytical and critical thinking skills

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of philosophy
Interest in ancient Greek philosophy

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced

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Plato and His Predecessors
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Description

What is philosophy? How does it differ from science, religion, and other modes of human discourse? This course traces the origins of philosophy in the Western tradition in the thinkers of Ancient Greece. We begin with the Presocratic natural philosophers who were active in Ionia in the 6th century BCE and are also credited with being the first scientists. Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximines made bold proposals about the ultimate constituents of reality, while Heraclitus insisted that there is an underlying order to the changing world. Parmenides of Elea formulated a powerful objection to all these proposals, while later Greek theorists (such as Anaxagoras and the atomist Democritus) attempted to answer that objection. In fifth-century Athens, Socrates insisted on the importance of the fundamental ethical question—“How shall I live?”—and his pupil, Plato, and Plato’s pupil, Aristotle, developed elaborate philosophical systems to explain the nature of reality, knowledge, and human happiness. After the death of Aristotle, in the Hellenistic period, Epicureans and Stoics developed and transformed that earlier tradition. We will study the major doctrines of all these thinkers. Part I will cover Plato and his predecessors. Part II will cover Aristotle and his successors.

Outline

Aristotle’s Categories
Introduction to Ancient Philosophy
Introduction to Aristotle
Subjects and Predicates
Universals and Particulars
Substance and Subject
Subjects of Change
Aristotle's Categories
Subjects and Predicates
Substances & Subjects

Aristotle's Natural Philosophy
Matter, Form, and Change
Nature
Is Form or Matter Nature?
The Four Causes
Natural Teleology
Soul As Cause
Aristotle's Physics
Aristotle's On the Soul
Change & Nature
Causes in Nature
Aristotelian Souls

Aristotle's Ethics
The Eternity of Motion
The First Mover of the Cosmos
The Unmoved Mover
The Goal of Life
What Are You Doing With Your Life?
Happiness and Living Well
Pleasure and the Human Function
Virtue of Character
Godlike Virtue
Aristotle's Metaphysics
Aristotle's Ethics
The Unmoved Mover
Aristotle's Ethics

Epicureanism
Introduction to Epicurus
Nature and the Gods
Therapeutic Philosophy
Death Is Nothing To Us
What's Wrong With Death?
Ataraxia
Restricting Desire
Enduring Pain
The Letter to Menoeceus
The Letter of Epicurus to Herodotus
On the nature of the gods
Principal Doctrines
Gods and Death
Pleasure and Pain

Stoicism
Introduction to Stoicism
God in Nature
Following Nature
A Good Flow of Life
The Goal vs. The Target
The Lazy Argument
What Is Up To Us
Stoic Compatibilism
Conclusion
The Enchiridion
On the nature of the gods
De Fato (On Fate)
De Finibus (On Ends)
Stoic Natural Philosophy and Ethics
Fate and Human Action

Summary of User Reviews

The course on Aristotle offered by Coursera has received positive reviews from users. Many users found the course to be informative and engaging.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course content was praised by many users for its depth and quality.

Pros from User Reviews

The lectures were well-structured and easy to follow.
The instructor was knowledgeable and passionate about the subject.
The course provided a comprehensive overview of Aristotle's philosophy.
The readings and assignments were challenging but rewarding.
The discussion forums were helpful for exchanging ideas and perspectives.

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course to be too dense and difficult to understand.
The workload was heavy and required a significant time commitment.
The quizzes and exams were challenging and required a thorough understanding of the material.
Some users felt that the course lacked interaction and engagement with other students.
The course may not be suitable for those with a limited background in philosophy.

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