Schedule
- Session 1 (June 9 - 27, 2025)
- Synchronous times: Monday through Thursday, 1 - 3 p.m. ET
Description
This course is an introduction to Greek and Roman Stoicism. Stoicism was an ancient philosophical school which taught strategies for developing practical wisdom and living a virtuous life. In this course, we will survey the major figures in Stoic philosophy: Zeno, Chrysippus, Cicero, Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. Through studying these figures, students will learn the core principles of Stoicism, the nature of virtue and rationality, and strategies for managing human emotion. Students will also learn the basics of reading and analyzing philosophical texts, developing philosophical arguments, and articulating their ideas more clearly and confidently.
Expected learning outcomes
- Develop critical thinking skills: Students will practice the ability to criticize and evaluate philosophical arguments, thereby improving their decision-making in everyday life
- Clear communication: Philosophy demands clear and precise communication; students will not only study some of history's greatest communicators, but practice improving their own communication skills in response
- Analytical skills: Students will practice analyzing and reconstructing philosophical arguments, thereby improving their ability to break down complex ideas into simpler parts and think more clearly
- Ethical frameworks: Students will understand different ethical frameworks for making sense of how to improve their character and live more fulfilling well-balanced lives
Program Director: Paul Musso
Paul received his PhD in philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022. Since then, he has been teaching a wide variety of courses on ancient Greek philosophy, political philosophy, ethics, bioethics, and philosophy of law. Recently, Paul has been researching the ways in which philosophy can help us deal with the problems of modern life and make a practical difference to not only how we live but how we think and feel.
