HRS/PHL 403: Honors Philosophy Seminar: Aristotle

Fall 2003         Dr William O. Stephens        HC 212

Tu Th 12:30 to 2 PM I will be preparing for class, so please respect my unavailability during those times.

office: HC 116            phone (with voicemail): 280-2632       email: stphns@creighton.edu

Course Description

We will study the rich system of thought of the thinker known for centuries simply as "The Philosopher."  We will survey his theory of words, concepts, and substance, his theory of nature and change, his philosophy of mind/soul, his "first philosophy" or theory of being (including the idea that love makes the world go 'round), and his theory of the good life (ethics).  We will conclude with a brief study of his accounts of the origin of political community, rhetoric, and art ("poetics").

Goals

• Develop solid understanding of Aristotle's fundamental concepts: the categories, the four causes, matter & form, substance, potentiality & actuality, essence & accident, species & genus, particular & universal, soul & intellect, and desire.
• Develop a broad, synoptic understanding of Aristotle's teleology, philosophy of mind, and metaphysical principles and puzzles.
• Gain basic knowledge of the most important elements of Aristotle's ethical theory, including his accounts of human striving, goods, "happiness" (eudaimonia), virtue & its definition, virtues of character, virtues of thought, continence & incontinence, friendship, pleasure, and study.
• Gain some understanding of Aristotle's account of the genesis of the political community, theory of rhetoric, and theory of poetry.

Course Requirements and Grade Percentages

*Only over material covered after Exam #3

Required Text – ALWAYS BRING IT TO CLASS

Aristotle: Selections; translated by T. Irwin & G. Fine. (Hackett Publishing Co., 1995) ISBN 0-915145-67-7.

Recommended Text

Jonathan Lear, Aristotle: the desire to understand. (Cambridge University Press, 1988) ISBN 0-521-34762-9.

Recommended Manual

• Extreme lack of clarity or lack of coherence of argument or expression of thought.
• Disregard for the requirements of the assignment.
• Irrelevant use or failure to use relevant course readings.
• Submission of another's words or thoughts as if they were your own, whether in the form of plagiarism or failure to acknowledge the source of an idea.
• Very poor class attendance with no participation in discussions.

D    "Work of inferior quality, but passing" (60% to below 70% average)

• Unclarity or incoherence of argument or expression of thought.
• Failure to satisfy the requirements of the assignment.
• Poor or inadequate understanding or use of relevant course readings.
• Improper acknowledgment or citation of the sources of your ideas.
• Poor class attendance with little or no participation in discussions.

C    "Satisfactory work"

• Basic clarity and coherence of argument and expression of thought.
• Satisfaction of the assignment's basic requirements.
• Fair or adequate understanding of the major views and theories in the relevant course readings and the arguments presented in support of those views and theories.
• Minimally clear and coherent evaluation of the views and arguments in the relevant course readings.
• Minimally proper acknowledgment and citation of the sources of your ideas.
• Generally consistent class attendance with occasional participation in discussions.
• 77% to below 80% average for a C+; 70% to below 77% average for a C.

B    "Noteworthy level of performance"    Demonstrates all of the qualities of satisfactory work plus:

• Good, above average clarity and coherence of argument and expression of thought.
• Clear, logical organization of the essay's introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Clear, detailed, and accurate understanding of the major views and theories in the relevant course readings and of the arguments presented in their support.
• Good attempt to provide argumentative support for your evaluation of the views, theories, and arguments presented in the relevant course readings.
• Regular, consistent class attendance with regular, good participation in discussions.
• 87% to below 90% average for a B+; 80% to below 87% average for a B.

A    "Outstanding achievement and an unusual degree of intellectual initiative"  Demonstrates all of the qualities of noteworthy performance plus:

• Excellent, superior clarity and coherence of argument and expression of thought.
• Clear, rigorous, and cogent argumentative support for your evaluation of the views, theories, and arguments presented in the relevant course readings.
• Originality and creativity of interpretation, explanation, argumentation, or criticism. 
• Superior class attendance with consistent, excellent, and thoughtful participation in discussions.  
• 90% average or above.

Class Participation

Regular and punctual class attendance is a necessary but definitely not a sufficient condition for a good class participation grade.  Since this is a real seminar, consistent participation is expected of every student.  Weekly participation is good; participation every class is the goal.

Papers and Submission Policies

Papers should be submitted on time.  By "paper" I mean thin sheets made from wood pulp, stapled together, with printing on them, NOT an electronic file on a diskette or attached to an email.  Early submissions are appreciated.  Requests for extensions must be made at least three (3) class days (i.e. weekdays) prior to the due date.  Papers submitted after the due date (or granted extension date) will be penalized 5 points (= half a letter grade) per weekday late (not counting holidays recognized by the University).   If the paper has not been received by the instructor within a week after its due date, then the student must withdraw from the course or else will receive an F for the course.   Be sure to discuss your paper topic with me before you begin serious writing.  Follow closely the guidelines in How to Write Philosophy Papers.  You can also get additional assistance at the Writing Center (Hitchcock Communication Arts Building Room 306, phone 280-4707).

I STRONGLY urge you to consult with me on your paper topics before you begin writing.  If you choose not to consult with me, the due dates for the papers hold nevertheless.  Since Paper #1 is due just after Fall Recess, discussion of topics must precede Fall Recess.

Academic Honesty Statement

If you plagiarize any part of a paper, then you will receive an F for the course.  Students are required to produce their own original work in their papers, including all ideas, arguments, and sentences.  Students may NOT work with others, and may NOT borrow from others, in writing their papers.  Citations on the paper should follow the guidelines in How to Write Philosophy Papers.  If you cheat on an exam, then you will receive at minimum an F (zero) on that exam; in cases I judge to be flagrant, the punishment is an F for the course.  See the Creighton College of Arts & Sciences Academic Honesty Procedures.

Keep in Contact with the Instructor throughout the Course

If you have any problem that hinders you from attending class, participating in discussions, doing the assigned reading, writing papers, or studying for the exams, please come see me or call me or send me e-mail or leave me a note in my mailbox or under my office door.  Whatever happens, it is your responsibility to keep in contact with me.

Websites

• Aristotle in EpistemeLinks.com.

• Aristotle's Logic, Metaphysics, Psychology, Ethics, and Political Theory in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

• A brand new article: D. Klimchuk, "Aristotle on Intoxication and Liability."  The URL is http://ereserves.creighton.edu/courseindex.asp.  Choose Philosophy Department and click "Go."  Choose this course.  Enter PHL1044 for the password.  Click "accept".

Schedule

The schedule is subject to modification as our pace requires, so check it regularly to be alert for changes, e.g. review guides.
For example, two or three guest discussion-leaders are likely; names and dates will be posted.
After Aug. 28, readings assigned for a particular day should be read PRIOR to that day's class meeting.
Readings are in Irwin & Fine unless indicated otherwise; parenthetical numbers refer to pages.

Aug. 28    Abbreviations & Introduction (xi–xxiii)

Sept. 2     Words, Beings, and Substance   Catg. 1–5, 12–13 (1–12)
Sept. 4     Language, Reality, and Fatalism   DI 1–4, 7, 9, 12–13 (13–28)

Sept. 9      Coming to be and substances   Phys. i, ii 1–2 (83–102)
Sept. 11    The Four Causes   Phys. ii 3–7 (102–114)

Sept. 16    Final Causes, Motion, and Time  Phys. ii 8–9; iii 1–3; iv 10–11, 14 (114–133)
Sept. 18     Time (cont'd) and the unmoved mover   Phys. iv 10–11, 14; viii 1, 4–6 (126–133, 137–144)    Review Guide for Exam #1

Sept. 23    EXAM #1
Sept. 25    Analysis and Definition of the Soul   DA i 1, 2–4; ii 1–4 (169–187)

Sept. 30    Perception, Passive & Productive Intellect   DA ii 5–6, 11, 12; iii 1–5, 10–11 (188–205) – Dr Jeffrey Hause leads discussion
Oct. 2       First Causes, Puzzles, and Principles  Met. i, 1–3; ii 1; iii 1, iv 1–3 (221–230, 240–241, 244–252)

Oct. 7      The Study of Substance  Met. v 7–8; vii 1–9 (270–294) – Dr Michael Brown leads discussion
Oct. 9       Form, Essence, Definition, and Universal   Met. vii 10–17 (294–314)

Oct. 14     Substance as Divine Intellect  Met. xii 6–9, 10 (332–344)    Review Guide for Exam #2
Oct. 16     EXAM #2

FALL RECESS

Oct. 28    Happiness   EN i 1–8 (347–360)    Paper #1 DUE
Oct. 30    EN i 9–10, 13 (360–365)
                D. Barwick, "George's Failed Quest for Happiness: An Aristotelian Analysis" from Seinfeld and Philosophy (Open Court, 2000) 15–26.

Nov. 4      Virtue, Praise, and Blame  EN i 13; ii 1–7 (363–376)
Nov. 6      Voluntary Action EN iii 1 (376–380)

Nov. 11    Justice & Virtues of Thought   EN v 1–2, 7; vi 1–3, 5–8, 12–13 (391–397, 398–410)
Nov. 13    Continence & Incontinence  EN vii 1–3 (411–417)
                R. Halwani, "Homer and Aristotle" from The Simpsons and Philosophy (Open Court, 2001) 7–23.

Nov. 18    Friendship  EN viii 1–3, 9; ix 4, 7–9, 12 (417–432)
Nov. 20    Friendship continued; Theoretical Study and Happiness  EN x 7 (440–442)       Review Guide for Exam #3

Nov. 25    EXAM #3

THANKSGIVING RECESS

Dec. 2    Pleasure and Study  EN x 4–8 (433–445) and Thomas Nagel, "Aristotle on Eudaimonia" (handout)
Dec. 4    Ethics and Politics  EN x 9 and Pol. i 1–6 (445–460)
Paper #2 DUE Fri. December 5 by 4 PM

Dec. 9    Poet. 4, 6–11, 13–15 (543–557)
Dec. 11    Last class                Review Guide for Final Quiz

Dec. 18    8:00–9:40 AM    FINAL QUIZ
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Copyright © 2003, William O. Stephens