Topics in Hellenistic Philosophy

Course goals

The intended purpose of this Topics Seminar is for the participating student  (1) to become familiar with positions taken in the current debates over the specific topic area of the course; (2) to appreciate the arguments for and against the positions; and (3) to develop an independent judgment about the most promising approach in this area. 
 
Specifically the course aims to provide: A firm grasp of the main theories presented: their nature and motivation, their differences and similarities; enhancement of the students’ ability to study and analyse the classical sources within their original context; improvement of skills in handling the scholarly literature and in using the material so as to be able to give an oral presentation and write an academic essay on a subject chosen in consultation with the teacher.

 

Content

Topic for 26-27 will be Emotion: Classical Sources of the Cognitivist Tradition

Contemporary philosophy witnesses an upsurge of interest in so-called cognitivist theories (and therapies) of emotion, i.e. theories that view human emotion as essentially a mode of thought (whether mistaken or not). In Graeco-Roman antiquity most theories of emotion were cognitive in this sense. Its most radical and sophisticated variety was developed by the Stoics. In this course we trace back the cognitive approach to its ancient sources, using both primary texts and secondary literature. The Stoa will hold centre stage but ample attention will be paid to Plato, Aristotle and later ancient theorists also, including the fascinating version offered by the great Medieval philosopher and theologian Aquinas.

 
This course is for students in History and Philosophy of Science and the RMA Philosophy. Students of other MA-programmes, please contact the RMA Programme Coordinator (n.miltenburg@uu.nl). 
 
The entrance requirements for Exchange Students will be checked by International Office and the Programme coördinator. Therefore, you do not have to contact the Programme coördinator yourself.
 

Additional information

Counts towards the fulfillment of the “Topics Seminar” requirement for RMA Philosophy students.