Philosophy and Education in Classical Antiquity
Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: Rosa Loredana CARDULLOExpected Learning Outcomes
Aristotle and Friendship as the Foundation of Ethics: Reading and Commentary on Books VIII–IX of the Nicomachean Ethics
Learning Objectives
The course aims to analyze Aristotle’s thought, with particular attention to his ethics and his conception of friendship (philia) as a constitutive element of the good life and of the political community.
Within the ethical framework, the course will address the themes of virtue, reciprocity, justice, and the relationship between ethics and politics in Aristotle’s philosophy, focusing especially on Books VIII and IX of the Nicomachean Ethics.
Expected Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding
Students are expected to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Aristotle’s philosophy, with particular attention to ethics and to the concepts of virtue, friendship, and happiness.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Ability to apply Aristotelian ethical categories to contemporary philosophical debates and to critically read and interpret primary texts.
3. Communication skills
Ability to present philosophical concepts clearly and coherently, both orally and in writing.
4. Learning skills
Acquisition of methodological tools useful for philosophical research, through the direct reading of sources and the consultation of critical literature.
Course Structure
Seminar lectures held by PhD students
Possible in itinere tests may be agreed upon during the lectures and will focus on some themes of Aristotelian ethic and its transposition in the various historical periods with particular attention to the contemporary
Required Prerequisites
Detailed Course Content
Textbook Information
- R.L. Cardullo, Aristotele. Profilo introduttivo, Roma Carocci
- Andrea Falcon, La natura secondo Aristotele. Guida alla lettura di Fisica II, Roma Carocci, 2024
- Aristotele, Fisica II (materials provided by professor Cardullo on Studium)Learning Assessment
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Examples of questions could be these (which cannot, however, exhaust the range of questions posed during the exam. In fact, the exam will reflect exactly the topics covered in class):
Aristotle, life and works
Aristotelian physics
Aristotelian biology
Aristotelian psychology
Aristotelian metaphysics
logic and dialectics in Aristotle
Aristotelian ethics (happiness, virtues)
Aristotelian books on friendship (Eth. Nic. VIII-IX) - to be readen and commented
The relevance of Aristotelian philosophy