Undergraduate - UnitATS3874 - Philosophy of Aristotle and Aristotelianism

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2012 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

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Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Offered	Clayton Second semester 2012 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dirk Baltzly

Notes

Previously coded PHL3240

Synopsis

We will examine those aspects of Aristotle's philosophy that have had the greatest impact on western thought. From his logical works we will consider his views on universals and particulars, his account of the nature of scientific knowledge and its origins in sense experience. From his Physics we will examine the distinction between matter and form, and the question of whether the world has a beginning. We will consider his account of the nature of humans and rational thought in On the soul. Finally, we will examine the consequences of Aristotle's metaphysical views in his ethics and politics. In each case we will advert to later developments in aristotelianism.

Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the subject will be able to explain central themes from the works of Aristotle in the light of scholarship on the subject; have some acquaintance with the influence of these themes on western thought; and offer good reasons for or against the claim that Aristotle's view are right. Finally you will be able to incorporate into their work the interpretative principles (such as charity and consistency) which are used by historians of philosophy.