PY431-5-SP-CO:
Ancient Philosophy
2026/27
Philosophical, Historical, and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Monday 18 January 2027
Thursday 25 March 2027
15
04 June 2026
Requisites for this module
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This is a module about ancient Greek and Roman philosophy focusing on the work and thought of Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics, some of the most influential figures in the western philosophic and cultural tradition.
It is also intended to be an introduction to a way of approaching philosophy characteristic of the ancient world, and differing from most contemporary approaches. In the writings of Plato and Aristotle, philosophy is understood not as an academic discipline, but as the fulfilment of a distinctively human possibility for inquiry. This conception of philosophy as a way of life is most obviously manifest in Plato`s philosophic writings, dramatic dialogues examining an exemplary philosophic life, the life of Socrates, Plato`s teacher. However, we will see this conception also at work in Aristotle`s account of the life of contemplation and in the Stoic approach to the challenges of human existence. Throughout, we will pay special attention to the interrelation between their accounts of practical philosophy (ethics and politics) and their theoretical philosophy (metaphysics and theory of knowledge).
The aims of the module are:
- To introduce students to selected texts in ancient Greek philosophy.
- To make students aware of key arguments and theories by Plato and Aristotle.
- To promote a historical sense in relation to the texts.
- To develop powers of exposition and analysis of unfamiliar patterns of thought.
- To give students an idea of the place of ancient thought in the development of Western philosophy.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Expound in their own words selected passages from ancient philosophic texts.
- Expound and criticize theories and arguments covered in the module.
- Articulate and assess some of the differences between Greek and contemporary forms of philosophical thinking.
Incoming Study Abroad students must have already taken an introductory module in Philosophy at their home institution.
This module will be delivered via:
In addition, there will be a weekly one-hour optional collaborative reading session, in which we will read and discuss excerpts from the assigned readings.
Week 21 will be a reading week, during which no scheduled teaching events will be held.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
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Coursework weighting |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Ellisif Wasmuth, email: ellisif.wasmuth@essex.ac.uk.
PHAIS General Office: 6.130; pyugadmin@essex.ac.uk
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No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 27 hours, 27 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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