The Luxury of Virtue

Topics discussed:  Biographical details about Aristotle Key notions in Aristotelian thinking  Key aspects in Aristotelian physics, logic, and ethics For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .

Topics discussed: Different characterizations of the philosophy of Cynicism Survey of prominent Cynic thinkers Overview of the Cynic lifestyle For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .

Topics discussed:  Plato as authoritarian Plato as moral teacher Spiritual practices in the ancient world Attention training for greater attentional autonomy

Topics discussed:  Common themes across Plato's body of work Plato as a solver of metaphysical puzzles Plato as a math fanatic Plato as mystic For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .

Topics discussed: A review of the philosophers covered in Unit I A summary of the sociopolitical conditions that gave rise to anti-democratic sentiment A brief biography of Plato, up to the period in which he opens his school For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .

Topics discussed: The history and mythology of Pythagoras The workings of Pythagorean communities The benefits of routine and social pressure The ethics of the Pythagorean Archytas For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .

Topics discussed:  The philosophical notion of bullshit Socratic questioning Socrates' motivations for engaging in Socratic questioning Socrates' ethics Xenophon on self-mastery For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .

Topics discussed:  The atomistic philosophy of Democritus The role of chance in our success or failure (and what that means for our ethics according to Democritus) Democritus' maxims for how to achieve ataraxia (tranquility) Democritus' notion that what's good for us is good for society For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .

Topics discussed: The Sophistic movement in general The traditional take on Protagoras Revisionary takes on Protagoras The psychodynamic reflections of Gorgias Prodicus' views on the importance of a good vocabulary For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .

Topics discussed: A brief synopsis of the views of Parmenides Anaxagoras' notions of an "original mixture" and Mind (an early version of the laws of nature) Empedocles' theories of Love and Strife The sociological factors behind intellectual progress Empedocles' defense of universal ethical principles For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .

Topics discussed: The Persian Invasions of Greece Xenophanes' theological views Xenophanes' distinction between knowledge and belief Epistemic self-awareness Heraclitus' relativism and his doctrine of flux Heraclitus' views on improving the soul For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .

Topics discussed:  The Milesian Worldview The philosophy of Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes  Ethical reflections on Anaximander's thought The Milesian revolt against Persian control For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .

This is the introductory lesson to PHIL 111: Ancient/Medieval Philosophy.  Topics discussed:  Basic details about the material The running theme of the course Historical context for understanding Iron Age Greece For more information, visit theluxuryofvirtue.com .