CLHUMPS005 - Greek and Roman Philosophers: From Socrates to the Stoics
Are humans just atoms and void, who dissolve upon death? Or are they meant to live forever? Is morality objective, or mere social convention? Is happiness looking out for number one? Or perhaps it requires being courageous, generous, having deep ties to friends, family, and the community? Such questions animated Greek and Roman philosophers. Arguably, all these questions converge into one: “How should I live?” Socrates begins our conversation. Plato argues we have immortal souls and that caring for them requires taming our desires. Aristotle claims happiness here and now requires cultivating good character. Epicureans contend that humans are merely material and pleasure is the standard of happiness. The Skeptics, faced with conflicting answers, opted to suspend belief. Finally, we have Stoicism, whose adherents include Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Ryan Holiday. Join Dr. Victor Saenz to explore what Greek and Roman philosophers can teach us about living a good life!
Course Details
Victor Saenz, Ph.D., is the executive director of the Houston Institute. He is also lecturer at the Rice University philosophy department. His area of expertise is classical philosophy. At Rice he has taught Contemporary Moral Issues, Introduction to Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, and upper-level seminars on Plato and Aristotle. Dr. Saenz is currently working on a series of academic articles on Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics.”
On Campus
This course will be delivered on campus / in person. Parking and room information will be sent prior to the class start date.
- Introduction: Socrates and Greek and Roman Philosophy as a Way of Life
- Taming the Brute Within: Plato’s Philosophy and Immortality
- Advice from Aristotle: Philosophize, Make Friends, Influence People
- How Do You Know? Skeptics on Living in Uncertainty
- Epicurean Materialism and Pleasure as Happiness
- Stoic Strength in Tranquility
Houston Institute