CL4500 Pleasure, Goodness and Happiness: Hellenistic Ethics

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof A G Long

Prof A G Long
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr A Long

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will explore the ethical thought of the Hellenistic period, a key phase in the development of Graeco-Roman culture. We shall examine some of the most sophisticated and influential moral theories of antiquity, principally those of the Epicureans, Stoics and sceptics. The core text will be Cicero's On Moral Ends. The module will include the following topics: the nature and value of pleasure; friendship and society; the fear of death; virtue and vice; happiness; human development; moral psychology; life without beliefs. All primary texts will be available in English translation.

Relationship to other modules

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE CL4502

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 x 1-hour seminars

Scheduled learning hours

22

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

278

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Analyse and explain the ethical theories, debates and arguments of the Hellenistic period
  • Recognise characteristic features of a wide range of Greek and Roman texts that evaluate and provide evidence for these theories, particularly Cicero's On Moral Ends
  • Evaluate the modern revival of these theories, especially modern Stoicism
  • Discuss these ethical theories in relation to their intellectual, cultural and political contexts
  • Formulate sophisticated arguments about the interpretation and merit of ancient ethical theories.
  • Select the most appropriate forms of evidence to support their arguments;