Unit Three Outline: Aristotle

Aristotle Statue
Aristotle's Statue at Stagira, Greece*
*photo by Cynthia Freeland, 1989; permission for use granted
Philosophy 3383, Fall, 2006
Dr. Cynthia Freeland
(713) 743-3206


UNIT III: ARISTOTLE

All readings are in Ancient Greek Philosophy, ed. Cohen, Curd, and Reeve


Tues. Oct. 24: Introduction; Aristotle's Life and the Development of His Thought
Introduction, pp. 645-655)
The Categories, pp. 656-662.


Thurs. Oct. 26: NO CLASS
Professor Freeland will be in Milwaukee at the Aesthetics Society

Tues. Oct. 31: Causes, Chance, and Purposes
The Physics Book II, pp. 702-719

Aristotle's Biological Works (Lecture)
Parts of Animals, pp. 749-757.

Discussion assignment: Briefly compare the roles of necessity and purpose in Aristotle's discussion here to what he says in Physics II, 9.


Thurs. Nov. 2: Reality, Essence, Form
The Metaphysics
Book I, 1 (pp. 758-60); Book VII (pp. 777-795)


Tues. Nov. 7: Metaphysics, cont'd.
Metaphysics Book VIII (pp. 796-800)

Aristotle Paper Topics

Discussion assignment: Raise and briefly reflect on two questions you have for Aristotle. Make one an exegetical question about what he means, and make one a substantive question about how coherent his theory of substance as essence actually is. Has his view changed from VII to VIII?


Thurs. Nov. 9 The Soul
De Anima, Books II and III (pp. 813-31)


Tues. Nov. 14: Aristotle on God
Metaphysics XII (pp. 800-08), Physics VIII (pp. 725-6)
Unit 3 Paper Due
Thurs. Nov. 16: Aristotle's Ethics

Nicomachean Ethics Books I, II, and X (832-52 and 881-91)

Discussion assignment: How does God play a part in Aristotle's ethics?


Tues. Nov. 21: Begin Unit IV, Hellenistic Philosophy


Thurs. Nov. 23: No class--Thanksgiving


return to Ancient Philosophy Main Page
November 7, 2006