Epicurean Ethics
| Title | ΕΠΙΚΟΥΡΕΙΑ ΗΘΙΚΗ / Epicurean Ethics |
| Code | ΦΚ245 |
| Faculty | Philosophy |
| School | Philosophy and Education |
| Cycle / Level | 1st / Undergraduate, 2nd / Postgraduate |
| Teaching Period | Winter/Spring |
| Coordinator | Georgios Zografidis |
| Common | Yes |
| Status | Active |
| Course ID | 280009592 |
Programme of Study: UPS School of Philosophy and Education (2011-today)
Registered students: 3
| Orientation | Attendance Type | Semester | Year | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Mandatory Elective Courses | Winter/Spring | - | 6 |
| Academic Year | 2020 – 2021 |
| Class Period | Spring |
| Faculty Instructors |
|
| Weekly Hours | 3 |
| Class ID | 600185954
|
Course Type 2016-2020
- Scientific Area
Course Type 2011-2015
Specific Foundation / Core
Mode of Delivery
- Face to face
- Distance learning
Digital Course Content
- e-Study Guide https://qa.auth.gr/en/class/1/600185954
- At the Website of the School: https://www.edlit.auth.gr/odigos
- eLearning (Moodle): https://elearning.auth.gr/course/view.php?id=8372
Erasmus
The course is also offered to exchange programme students.
Language of Instruction
- Greek (Instruction, Examination)
- English (Examination)
- French (Examination)
General Competences
- Apply knowledge in practice
- Retrieve, analyse and synthesise data and information, with the use of necessary technologies
- Adapt to new situations
- Make decisions
- Work autonomously
- Be critical and self-critical
- Advance free, creative and causative thinking
Course Content (Syllabus)
The aim of the course is to read a collection of Epicurean moral texts and to offer their interpretation. Epicurean ethics is seen as an attempt to answer the central question of Greek-Roman antiquity about the possibility and the conditions to attain a happy life. Special attention will be given (a) to the philosophical and historical setting of epicurean ethics and (b) to its dialogue with other philosophical schools.Analysis and evaluation of the basic epicurean tenets and their arguments.
The topics under discussion:
1. Pleasure and pain, the kinds of pleasures.
2. Desires and passions.
3. Virtues and vices, the relation between virtue and pleasure.
4. The freedom of will, choice and action: moral responsibility and necessity.
5. The rational life of the sage.
6. Friendship and love.
7. Social life, politics and laws -individual and society.
8. The gods: their existence and nature, providence and chance.
9. The indifference towards death.
Sources: Epicurus "Letter to Menecoeus", "Principal Maxims", other maxims and fragments; Lucretius, "De rerum natura" (selections), Philodemus, "On Piety", "On Gods", "On Death"; testimonies from Cicero, Seneca and Plutarch.
Keywords
Epicurus, Epicureanism, Ethics, Hedonism, Greek Philosophy
Educational Material Types
- Notes
- Slide presentations
- Video lectures
- Book
Use of Information and Communication Technologies
Use of ICT
- Use of ICT in Course Teaching
- Use of ICT in Communication with Students
- Use of ICT in Student Assessment
Course Organization
| Activities | Workload | ECTS | Individual | Teamwork | Erasmus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 50 | 2 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Reading Assigment | 45 | 1.8 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Exams | 55 | 2.2 | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Total | 150 | 6 |
Student Assessment
Student Assessment methods
- Written Exam with Multiple Choice Questions (Summative)
- Written Exam with Short Answer Questions (Summative)
- Written Exam with Extended Answer Questions (Summative)
- Written Exam with Problem Solving (Summative)
Bibliography
Course Bibliography (Eudoxus)
1. Επίκουρος, Ηθική: η θεραπεία της ψυχής. Θεσσαλονίκη: Ζήτρος, 2009.
2. Ζωγραφίδης, Γ. (επιμ.), Επικούρεια ηθική φιλοσοφία: Μελέτες. Θεσσαλονίκη: Θύραθεν, 2012.
Additional bibliography for study
Algra, K., κ.ά. (επιμ.), The Cambridge History of Hellenistic Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.
Long, A.A., Η Ελληνιστική φιλοσοφία: Στωικοί, επικούρειοι, σκεπτικοί, μτφ. Σ. Δημόπουλος & Μ. Δραγώνα-Μονάχου. Αθήνα: ΜΙΕΤ, 1987.
Sharples, R. W., Στωικοί, Επικούρειοι και Σκεπτικοί, μτφ. Μ. Λυπουρλή & Γ. Αβραμίδης. Θεσσαλονίκη: Θύραθεν, 2002.
Nussbaum, M.C., Η θεραπεία της επιθυμίας. Θεσσαλονίκη: Θύραθεν, 2015.
Θεοδωρίδης, Χ., Επίκουρος: Η αληθινή όψη του αρχαίου κόσμου. Αθήνα 1954 [και ανατυπώσεις: Βιβλ. της Εστίας].
Brun, J., O Επικουρισμός, μτφ. Α. Πολέμης. Αθήνα: Ζαχαρόπουλος, 1964 [=Δαίδαλος/Ζαχαρόπουλος, 2008].
Farrington, B., Το πιστέβω του Επίκουρου, μτφ. Π. Πολυκάρπου. Αθήνα: Κάλβος, 1979.
Kohen, A., Άτομα–ηδονή–αρετή: Η φιλοσοφία του Επίκουρου, μτφ. Σ. Δημόπουλος. Θεσσαλονίκη: Θύραθεν, 2006.
Festugière, A.J., Ο Επίκουρος και οι θεοί του, μτφ. Ρ. Μπέρκνερ. Θεσσαλονίκη: Θύραθεν, 1999 [1946].
Last Update
08-12-2020
