Description
According to Plotinus the goal of life is to ‘become like god’, i.e. to detach oneself from the material world and human society and devote oneself entirely to philosophy. For this reason John Dillon has called Plotinus’ ethics ‘uncompromisingly self-centered’ and ‘unworldly’: “One feels of Plotinus that he would have gladly helped an old lady across the road—but he might very well fail to notice her at all. And if she were squashed by a passing wagon, he would remain quite unmoved.” Recently, however, other scholars have disputed this claim. They argue that for Plotinus the happy life consists both in theoretical contemplation and practical virtue directed towards fellow human beings. In this seminar we shall investigate this issue by studying Plotinus’ treatises on hapiness and virtue as well as Porphyrius’ biography of this giant of ancient thought.
Teaching method
seminar
Admission requirements
Completed BA Classics or Philosophy; in the case of philosophy students no knowledge of Greek is required.
Course objectives
The student
-acquires in-depth knowledge of Plotinus’ ethical philosophy;
-is trained to analyse a complicated Greek philosophical text;
-is trained to deal with scholarly literature on Plotinus;
-is trained to present his/her findings both orally and in writing.
Course load
5 or 10 ects
Required reading
A.H. Armstrong, Plotinus, vol. I: Porphyry on the Life of Plotinus / Ennead I (The Loeb Classical Library n. 440) Cambridge / London 1989 (2nd edition) or later.
Test method
Participation 10 ; Presentation: 20; Tentamination: 20%; Paper 50%
Time table
Information
Dr. R. M. van den Berg r.m.van.den.berg@hum.leidenuniv.nl.
Registration
Please enroll in U-twist, choose “GLTC” in the administration list:
http://www.ulcn.leidenuniv.nl/content_docs/inloggen/inloggen_u-twist.htm
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used in preparation of the seminar and for the distribution of information.
Remarks
Attendance compulsory.