Course : Greek Philosophy and Applied Ethics

Summary

The purpose of this first introductory meeting is to set the stage for an engaging and thought-provoking academic journey. This session will provide an overview of the course structure, key themes, and learning objectives, offering students a roadmap for the program. Faculty members will introduce themselves, outlining their research interests and teaching approaches, while students will have the opportunity to share their backgrounds and academic motivations. We will discuss fundamental questions that will guide our studies: What is philosophy? How do ancient ethical theories shape modern moral thought? Why does Greek philosophy remain relevant today? This session will also introduce essential texts and methodologies, as well as expectations for participation, assessments, and research.

Summary

War ethics might sound as impossible combination of words – how justify what seems to be unjustifiable? War is prima facie unjustifiable. However, wars are a fact of human reality, and those among us who are unfortunate to live in times of war – in a way it is all of us – would know that the reality is not just a possibility, that prima facie designation does not help in answering what must be done, that unjustifiability does not imply impossibility. We must understand to be able to explain, and to explain to have a valid evaluation, especially when what is happening is important and with far-reaching consequences. Wars are such phenomena. We live amid such phenomena, and we need to understand not only their tragic and often cataclysmic nature, but also their meaning, their structure and logic of their functioning. We should understand that war is not something that happens only to others, nor that it is the matter of the past. In the present volume we have thirty-three essays examining war from many angles, sometimes from the opposite standpoints, exploring some of the most intriguing issues of warfare in times characterized by radical changes in the world in turmoil.

Suggested readings

• Jovan Babić, "War Ethics and War Morality: An Introduction," Conatus - Journal of Philosophy 8, no. 2 (2023): 11-63. doi: https://doi.org/10.12681/cjp.36208.

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Summary

Aristotle’s virtue ethics is a moral philosophy that emphasizes character and the development of virtues as the key to ethical living. Unlike rule-based ethics, Aristotle argues that morality is about cultivating good habits that lead to human flourishing (eudaimonia). He identifies virtues as traits that lie between extremes of deficiency and excess, a concept known as the "Golden Mean." For example, courage is a balance between recklessness and cowardice. Virtue is developed through practice and guided by reason, with the phronimos (a practically wise person) serving as a model. The significance of Aristotle’s virtue ethics lies in its focus on moral character rather than rigid rules, influencing modern fields like ethics, psychology, and leadership. It provides a flexible, context-dependent approach to morality, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and social harmony. Virtue ethics remains relevant today, shaping discussions on moral education and ethical decision-making in various domains.

Suggested readings

• Hursthouse, Rosalind, and Glen Pettigrove, "Virtue Ethics," The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2023 Edition), eds. Edward N. Zalta and Uri Nodelman, https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2023/entries/ethics-virtue/.
• John Bowin, "Aristotle's Virtue Ethics," in A Companion to World Literature, ed. Ken Seigneurie (John Wiley & Sons, 2020).

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Summary

In ancient Greek thought, suicide was a complex issue, viewed differently across philosophical traditions. Plato generally condemned it, arguing in the Phaedo that life is a divine gift and should not be taken prematurely. Aristotle saw it as an injustice against the state. However, Stoics, like Seneca, considered suicide a rational choice in cases of unbearable suffering or loss of autonomy. Epicureans viewed death as neither good nor bad, seeing no inherent moral judgment in ending one’s life. Greek tragedy and history also depict suicide as an act of honor, shame, or resistance, reflecting diverse societal attitudes.

Suggested readings

• Martha C. Nussbaum, "The Damage of Death: Incomplete Arguments and False Consolations," in The Metaphysics and Ethics of Death, ed. James Stacey Taylor, 25-43 (Oxford: Oxford Academic, 2014).
• Walter Glannon, "Epicureanism and Death," The Monist 76, no. 2 (1993): 222-234.

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Please read the material for Week IV, along with the following papers:

• Bjarnason, Epicurus' Second Remedy
• Rosenbaum, How to be dead and not care?

Then, write a short essay of approximately 500 words (excluding footnotes and references) on the following topic:

How convincing is Epicurus' argument against the dread of death?

Please format your footnotes and references according to the Chicago Manual of Style / Notes and Bibliography Style.

Deadline: Jurn 30, 2026.

To submit your essay go to the Assignments section in the menu (left column), and chose Study week I option.

Wishing you the best of success!

Summary

Aristotle’s essentialism, the belief that entities have inherent, unchanging essences, profoundly shaped Western sexual ethics by reinforcing fixed gender roles and hierarchical norms. Viewing women as biologically and rationally inferior, Aristotle naturalized male dominance and female subordination, embedding these assumptions into moral and political theory. His teleological view of nature framed reproduction and heterosexual union as the natural ends of sexuality, marginalizing other expressions as "unnatural." This framework influenced Christian theology, medieval scholasticism, and modern ethical thought, underpinning restrictive norms around gender and sexuality that persisted for centuries. Contemporary critiques challenge these foundations, seeking more inclusive ethical models.

Suggested readings

• Natalie Stoljar, "Essence, Identity and the Concept of Woman," Philosophical Topics 23, no. 2 (1995): 261-293.
• Gregory John Anthony Jackson, The Difference of Sex and the Difference It Makes (PhD Diss., St Mary’s University, 2023).
• Christina Peterman, The Metaphysics of Gender, Thesis Review, 2019.

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Summary

Suggested readings

• Peter Singer, "Voluntary Euthanasia: A Utilitarian Perspective," Bioethics 17, nos. 5-6 (2003): 526-541. Accessible here.
• Evangelos D. Protopapadakis, From Dawn till Dusk: Bioethical Insights into the Beginning and the End of Life (Berlin: Logos Verlag, 2019), 145-168. Accessible here.

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