SE4405: Ancient Philosophy

School Philosophy
Department Code ENCAP
Module Code SE4405
External Subject Code 100337
Number of Credits 20
Level L6
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader DR Dafydd Rees
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2022/3

Outline Description of Module

This module studies the origins and development of Greek and Roman philosophy from the earliest ‘pre-Socratic’ thinkers, in the 6th century BCE, through to Hellenistic thinkers of the first century CE. We cover the beginnings of Greek critical philosophical thinking, Socrates and Plato, Aristotle, and the great philosophical schools of the Hellenistic and Roman periods. 

Throughout the module students will learn to read and critically engage with primary texts from this period, drawing on secondary scholarship to supplement their own interpretations. Areas explored will include (but are not limited to) metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, and religion. 

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  • demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of key themes in Ancient Philosophy.  

  • analyse and interpret ancient and modern sources, and communicate the resultant information in both written and oral form.  

  • participate actively and constructively in group discussion 

  • interpret ancient philosophical writings both critically and charitably.  

  • survey and analyse modern interpretations of ancient philosophical thinkers.  

  • demonstrate the ability to analyse concepts, evaluate arguments and justify interpretations and perspectives within ancient philosophy.  

  • independently evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of ancient contributions to philosophical thought.  

How the module will be delivered

The module will be delivered through a mix of large group and small group sessions, including, where relevant, asynchronous materials such as lecture recordings. Full details on the delivery mode of this module will be available on Learning Central at the start of the academic year – and may be, in part, determined by Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidance.

Skills that will be practised and developed

It is worth bearing in mind that, even though the point of the module is to do philosophy, many of the skills you’ll be developing are also highly valued by graduate employers. These include: 

  • Critical Thinking: e.g. the ability to understand, structure and critically evaluate the key points and arguments made in written texts and discussions––achieved through e.g. reading, small group activities in lectures and seminars, plenary discussions in seminars, reflecting on lecture materials, essay and exam preparation and writing. 
  • Communication: the ability to formulate and articulate your critical thinking, both orally and on paper, in ways that others can grasp and engage with––achieved through e.g. small group work in seminars, seminar discussions, essay/exam writing. 
  • Organisation: the ability to organise and coordinate workloads––achieved through balancing e.g. reading, seminar preparation, essay/exam preparation. 
  • Working with others: e.g. co-constructing ideas, responding sensitively to others––achieved through e.g. small group work in seminars, group presentations. 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Written Assessment 50 Essay 1 N/A
Written Assessment 50 Essay 2 N/A

Syllabus content

The following is indicative of the lecture topics to be addressed during the module: 

1.  The Pre-Socratics (I) – the Ionians  

2. The Pres-Socratics (II) – the Eleatics and Atomists  

3. Socrates – Irony, Knowledge, and Virtue 

4.  Plato (I) – Metaphysics and Epistemology 

5.  Plato (II) – Moral and Political Philosophy 

6. Aristotle (I) – Metaphysics and Epistemology 

7. Aristotle (II) – Moral and Political Philosophy 

8.  Scepticism – Suspending Judgement  

9. Epicureanism – Atoms, Pleasure, and Death  

10. Stoicism – Virtue and Indifference   


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