Aristotle and Well Being:
Reading Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics
A Continuing Education Course at NYU - SCPS
Fall Term, 2009/Course Number X08.9983
Meetings: Tuesday 09/29/09-12/01/09, 6:45-8:25 p.m.
Location: Norman Thomas Center, 111 East 33rd St, Room 812
What is the best life to lead? Why should we care about justice? What's the connection between being happy and being good? These are just a few of the questions that Aristotle takes up in one of the most influential and perennially relevant books ever written--The Nicomachaen Ethics. In this seminar-style course, we engage with Aristotle's thinking directly, challenging the text to speak to us on issues of traditional and contemporary concern. We read the whole of The Nicomachaen Ethics over the course of 10 weeks, delving deeply into many aspects of Aristotle's rich vision of human well-being.
Main Reading:
- The Nicomachean Ethics, Trans, W. D. Ross (with outline)
- The Nicomachean Ethics, Trans. W.D. Ross (no outline)
If you prefer to use a book format, please secure a copy of the Ross translation. The Oxford World Editions, 2009 edition (ISBN 0199213615).
Supplemental Material:
Background:- Wikipedia entry on Aristotle
- Wikipedia entry on the Nicomachean Ethics “Lecture on Aristotle’s Nicomachaen Ethics,” Ian Johnston
Contemporary media:
- "Finding Meaning and Purpose in your life," Oprah.com, Gary Zukav
- "Alone Together," New York Magazine, Jennifer Senior
- “What Life Asks of Us”, NYTimes.com, David Brooks.
- “Being and Mindfulness,” NYTimes.com, Judith Warner
- “When a Parent’s ‘I Love You’ means ‘Do As I Say’,” NYTimes, Alfie Kohn
- “The Case for Working with Your Hands,” NYTimes Magazine, Matthew Crawford