Philosophy for Amateurs

First reading in a new arc on political and economic philosophy.

Conversation about Aristotle's treatise on citizenship, the state, government, and the relationship to ethics and leading a life of happiness. I think this will help form a basis on which to understand major threads in thought about the political economy.

For Part I, please read Books I - IV (~ 100 pages)

Reading

• Aristotle (4th Century BCE). The Politics

The version I will be reading is the University of Chicago (1985) version translated by Carnes Lord.

Conversation about Aristotle's treatise on citizenship, the state, government, and the relationship to ethics and leading a life of happiness.

For Part II, please read Books V - VII (~ 100 pages)

Reading

• Aristotle (4th Century BCE). The Politics

The version I will be reading is the University of Chicago (1985) version translated by Carnes Lord.

Discussion and conversations about Cicero’s essay “The Republic,” which gets at ideal forms of government, orientation to the common good, and the importance of civic participation. We will pair this with an optional but recommended reading from Virgil: his short poetic work, The Georgics.