Undergraduate - UnitATS3885 - Stoic and epicurean philosophy

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 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

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Organisational Unit	Philosophy
Offered	Clayton First semester 2014 (Off-campus) Clayton Second semester 2014 (Off-campus) Clayton Summer semester A 2014 (Off-campus)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Monima Chadha

Notes

Previously coded PHL3890

Synopsis

This unit introduces the student to the philosophical systems of these rival Hellenistic schools and examines their interaction, evolution and relevance to contemporary philosophical problems. Among the issues that concern the stoics and epicureans are questions about happiness and fulfilment; coping with the inevitability of death; fatalism and moral responsibility; and the role and relevance of god in a purely material universe. A proper understanding of the truths revealed by the systems was thought to make the fully educated stoic or epicurean 'a mortal god'-blessed and happy, utterly immune to the vagaries of misfortune and fearless in the face of death.

Outcomes

Students who complete the subject successfully should:

understand the central perspectives and tenets of Stoic and Epicurean philosophy
appreciate how the stoic and epicurean systems were shaped by classical philosophy and the social conditions of the Hellenistic period
be aware of the ways in which subsequent historical and social conditions were shaped by adherents of the two schools
be in a position and motivated to explore Stoic and Epicurean ideas towards a resolution of a variety of contemporary philosophical problems.

Assessment

Written work: 70% (3500 words)
Test: 30%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Monima Chadha

Workload requirements

On-campus: 2 hours (one 2-hour seminar) per week

Off-campus attendance requirements

Off-campus: no timetabled contact hours

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Philosophy

Prerequisites

12 points of 2nd year philosophy units, or permission