Spring 2007

GOV 335M • Classical Quest for Justice

Course Description

This course examines the thought of the greatest political philosophers of ancient Greece, Plato and Aristotle. These authors take up simple yet profound questions, such as, What is justice? What is human nature? What is virtue? What is the relationship between politics and philosophy? and above all, What is the right way to live? We will consider the answers that Plato and Aristotle offer to these questions and what validity those answers have, as contrasted with the views of modern, Enlightenment thinkers in particular. We will also focus on understanding Socrates, the great founder of classical political philosophy, who boldly proclaimed that the unexamined life is not worth living. Most of the class will be spent on close readings of Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, and Aristotle's Politics.

Grading Policy

Two exams, a paper, quizzes, class participation, and attendance.

Texts

The Republic (Plato) Apology of Socrates (Plato) The Crito (Plato) Nicomachean Ethics (Aristotle) The Politics (Aristotle)

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