ASP215 - Philosophy, Happiness, and the Good Life
Unit details
| Year | 2018 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit chair: | Matthew Sharpe |
| Prerequisite: | Any first year Arts unit |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | ASP213/313, ASP315, ASP415 |
| Contact hours: | Campus: 1 x 2 hour Seminar Cloud (online): Learning experiences are via CloudDeakin |
Content
In this course, we look at some basic life questions everyone faces: what is happiness, and how do we attain it? Is pleasure the goal of life? Is fame the best thing to aspire to? IS strength of character enough to be happy, or do we need good luck? Should we moderate, or try to conquer emotions like anger? Is it ever right to lie? Is altruism the key to a good life, or pursuing self-interest? Each week, competing answers to these questions are examined, and students are prompted to engage with a host of the most important Western philosophers: Socrates, Aristotle, the Stoics, Cicero, Epicureanism, Natural Law, Hume, Kant and utilitarianism.
Assessment
Class/Online Exercises, 800 words, 20%
Essay 1, 1600 words, 40%
Essay 2, 1600 words, 40%
Unit Fee Information
Click on the fee link below which describes you: