Aristotle (384–322 BCE) continues to have a central and pivotal place in moral thinking. Not only is his ethical work the first attempt for a systematic theory, it also sets the major themes for centuries to come. We study exemplary selections from the ‘Nicomachean Ethics’ (NE) in considerable depth, and so cover central themes in moral philosophy while also relating them our own lives. In conversation, we think for instance about what is good and valuable, how to make wise choices, being courageous and just, how to deal with pleasure constructively, and making and keeping friends. In short, our theme is the good life according to Aristotle.
Ethics with Aristotle
This is an Online course which requires your attendance to weekly meetings which take place online using Microsoft Teams meetings.
This short course will combine pre-recorded lectures with live, weekly, online meetings where discussion and debate will take place between students and the tutor. Visit our How our WOW courses work page for full details.
This course will close for enrolment 14 days prior to its start date.
Overview
Programme details
Course starts: 21 Jan 2025
Week 1: We begin by getting a sense for ancient Greek ethics and Aristotle.
Week 2: We start by exploring the human good and happiness (eudaimonia) (NE I).
Week 3: We study the nature of moral virtue and how it relates to character (NE II).
Week 4: We explore voluntary action and choice (NE III).
Week 5: We discuss a selection of specific moral virtues NE IV).
Week 6: We investigate justice—where ethics meet politics (NE V).
Week 7: We turn to practical wisdom and the intellectual virtues (NE VI).
Week 8: We study the nature of weak will and self-control, and pleasure (NE VII).
Week 9: We think about some issues relating to friendship (NE VIII–IX).
Week 10: We complete our tour by returning to the good and happiness (NE X).
Recommended reading
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Continuing Education Library for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are welcome to use the Library for reference. More information can be found on the Library website.
There is a Guide for Weekly Class students which will give you further information.
Availability of titles on the reading list (below) can be checked on SOLO, the library catalogue.
Preparatory reading
- Nicomachean Ethics / Aristotle
- Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction / Barnes, J.
- Aristotle’s Way / Hall, E.
- Aristotle’s Ethics / Kraut, R.
Certification
Credit Application Transfer Scheme (CATS) points
To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee for each course you enrol on. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. If you do not register when you enrol, you have up until the course start date to register and pay the £30 fee.
See more information on CATS point
Coursework is an integral part of all online courses and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework, but only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education, you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.
Digital credentials
All students who pass their final assignment, whether registered for credit or not, will be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.
Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.
Fees
| Description | Costs |
|---|---|
| Course Fee | £285.00 |
| Take this course for CATS points | £30.00 |
Funding
If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:
Tutor
Dr Peter Wyss
Peter has been teaching weekly classes and online courses for the past fourteen years at the department, where he is involved in one of the certificate programmes too. In the Thinkery, his practice, he also offers philosophical counselling.
Course aims
This course aims to introduce participants to central themes in Aristotle’s ethics through a critical engagement with selections from the Nicomachean Ethics.
Course objectives
1. To study Aristotle’s text and discuss the philosophical themes that arise from it.
2. To encourage and practice a critical engagement with philosophical text.
3. To become familiar with Aristotle’s ethical thinking.
Teaching methods
The course has two parts.
The first comprises the individual study of selected passages from the Nicomachean Ethics, which is supported by a range of introductory recordings and a set of notes with leading questions. (The amount of reading varies, but is around 15 pp. per week.)
The second part is a weekly live session (in the style of a seminar), during which we clarify and critically discuss the philosophical themes that arise from the text and your studies.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be expected to:
1. identify the core ideas and concepts of Aristotle's ethics;
2. express and critically evaluate these ideas;
3. have gained confidence in reading, interpreting, and communicating an ancient philosophical text.
Assessment methods
Participants can gain credit by producing text of about 2,000 words. This can be done in three ways:
1. By continuously composing a reflective reading/course diary, or
2. By successfully completing a selection of questions that accompany the weekly reading, or
3. By writing an essay on a topic arranged with the tutor.
All assignments will be tutor marked and returned with brief written feedback or comments.
Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work the required standard.
Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form
Application
We will close for enrolments 14 days prior to the start date to allow us to complete the course set up. We will email you at that time (14 days before the course begins) with further information and joining instructions. As always, students will want to check spam and junk folders during this period to ensure that these emails are received.
To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.
Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment Form (Word) or Enrolment Form (Pdf)
Level and demands
The course is suited both to beginners in philosophy and to those who wish to extend their knowledge of ancient philosophy.
The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.
Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)
To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.
Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.