CLST 436 - Hellenistic Philosophy

Institution:

University of Pennsylvania

Subject:

Description:

Meyer. Greek philosophy in the Hellenistic period (323-31 BCE) is dominated by three schools, which continue to be influential well into the era of the Roman Empire: Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Scepticism. Our focus this year will be on the Stoics, with emphasis on their natural philosophy, theology, and ethics. Significant Stoic claims we will examine include: the theory of fate, the insistence that the world is governed by divine providence, and the view that following nature is the key to living a good life, while such things as health, family, and material well-being are of no value. Sources to be read include Cicero, ON THE NATURE OF THE GODS, and ON DIVINATION; Marcus Aurelius, MEDITATIONS; Epictetus, HANDBOOK; and Seneca, ON ANGER and selected letters. All texts will be read in English translation; no knowledge of Greek or Latin will be presupposed.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.upenn.edu

Phone Number:

(215) 898-5000

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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