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Directed Reading Group
CPAS Reading Group
" Natural Goals of Actions in Aristotle"
I argue that there are, according to Aristotle, two importantly different kinds of goals or ends in the domain of agency, and that one of these two kinds has been frequently, though not universally, overlooked. Apart from psychological goals, goals that agents adopt as their purposes, there are also, I submit, goals or ends that actions have by being the kinds of actions they are. Those latter goals belong to suitable actions whether or not agents adopt them as purposes, and whether or not agents are aware of them.
Selected Publications
Being, Nature, and Life In Aristotle
by James G. Lennox (Editor), Robert Bolton (Editor)
This volume of essays explores major connected themes in Aristotle's metaphysics, philosophy of nature, and ethics, especially themes related to essence, definition, teleology, activity, potentiality, and the highest good. The volume is united by the belief that all aspects of Aristotle's work need to be studied together if any one of the areas of thought is to be fully understood. Many of the papers were contributions to a conference at the University of Pittsburgh entitled 'Being, Nature, and Life in Aristotle', to honor Professor Allan Gotthelf's many contributions to the field of ancient philosophy; a few are contributions from those who were invited but could not attend. The contributors, all longstanding friends of Professor Gotthelf, are among the most accomplished scholars in the field of ancient philosophy today.
Inference from Signs: Ancient Debates about the Nature of Evidence
By James Allen
Original and penetrating, this book investigates of the notion of inference from signs, which played a central role in ancient philosophical and scientific method. It examines an important chapter in ancient epistemology: the debates about the nature of evidence and of the inferences based on it—or signs and sign-inferences as they were called in antiquity. Read more.
Program Application
- Students do not apply directly to the CPAS Program
- Instead, students should apply to one of the cooperating departments (Classics, HPS, or Philosophy) and indicate their interest in the program on their application
- Requirements: BA in Classics or equivalent
