About The Class
Want to learn about what we'll be studying from the instructor himself? Check out this short video!
About The Course
Join us for an 12-week intensive study focused on views of ancient philosophers on friendship, relationship, and connected topics. Among the thinkers we will study in this class are Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Lucretius, Cicero, Seneca, Plutarch, Dio Chrysostom, Epictetus, and Lucian of Samosata.
Tuition for the course includes the class sessions, access to discussion forums, downloadable handouts and worksheets, and other useful resources.
The course meets weekly on Thursdays, at 9:00 AM Central Time, starting on January 16. All of the course sessions will be recorded so students can review them at their leisure, and as many times as they would like.
We will be studying, exploring, discussing, and applying important and useful ideas drawn from the course texts. Key ideas students will develop a solid understanding of questions, problems, and issues that include:
- what friendship actually is, and how it is related to love, desire, and affection
- what kinds of friendships there are, and what their bases are
- whether good and bad people can actually be friends with each other
- what obligations friends have towards each other
- what role friendship plays in human happiness and the good life
- what to do with a friendship when friends change over time
- how to tell true friends apart from false friends
- what one needs to do in order to foster a solid friendship
- what factors lead to breakdowns or breakups of friendships
Scott Tarulli, professor, Berkelee School of Music
"Philosophy classics always intimidated me. I couldn't follow a lot of it, and I did not get much out of reading. When I went to study with Dr. Greg Sadler, he helped me read the works in pieces while helping me understand. The best part is, he encouraged me to think about how some of these ancient ideas could be applied into my own life. I found him very personable, and kind. Absolutely fantastic mentor!"
Marc Smit, founder, Philosophy Companion
"Studying philosophy is rewarding but can also be challenging and lonely. Dr Sadler makes classical and modern texts approachable and accessible, while his classes bring me into conversation with fellow learners. His teaching has not only given me intellectual understanding but also a better appreciation for how I can put philosophy into practice."
Shirley Sciacca, student
Dr. Sadler’s remarkable passion for philosophy, teaching, discussing, and engaging with others creates enlightenment across all fields of study. His energy is contagious as we delve into readings from Nietzsche, Kant, Plato, Aristotle, or Cicero. Philosophy complements the very essence of who we are and I can’t wait to join Dr. Sadler (and his wonderful sense of humor) alongside my fellow students again as I give honor to the life-long learner in me.
About The Instructor
After a successful career as a college professor, researcher, and administrator, I started our company, ReasonIO to help people study and apply philosophy in public, practical, and professional contexts. I continue teaching philosophy, literature, religious studies, and humanities courses at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
I take difficult philosophical texts, thinkers, and topics, and make them accessible for everyday people. That's how philosophy gets traction and remains closely connected with real life!
From 2016 to 2022, I served as the Editor of Stoicism Today. I remain a member of the Modern Stoicism, ltd. team. I am also the producer of the Half Hour Hegel series. I have authored one book (Reason Fulfilled By Revelation), edited two volumes (Stoicism Today Selected Essays, volume 3 and volume 4), and published dozens of articles, book chapters, and encyclopedia entries. Although I work in significant part outside of the academy, I remain actively engaged in research and scholarship.
I have held a Research Residency at the Institute for Saint Anselm Studies, been a Visiting Scholar position at European Graduate School, and was a Charles Chesnutt Library Fellow. I am also an APPA-certified Philosophical Counselor.
Curriculum For This Class
- Plato, the Lysias
- Plato Republic book 1 (selections)
- Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics book 1 (selections)
- Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics books 8-9
- Aristotle Eudemian Ethics book 7
- Epicurus Principal Doctrines
- Epicurus Vatican Sayings
- Cicero On The Ends book 1
- Lucretius - On The Nature Of Things (Selections)
- Cicero on Friendship
- Seneca Selected Letters
- Seneca - On Shortness Of Life, ch. 14-15
- Plutarch - How To Tell A Flatterer From A Friend
- Plutarch – On Having Many Friends
- Dio Chrysostom - Discourses 1, 3, 12, 38, 74
- Epictetus - Discourses (Selections)
- Lucian - Toxaris
- Lucian - The Parasite
- Overview Of Week 4 Readings and Topics
- Handout - Comparison of Epicurus and Aristippus on Hedonism
- Handout - Epicurus on Pleasures and Pains
- Handout - Epicurus on Prudence, Justice, and Friendship
- Handout - Cicero on Epicureans and Virtues in On The Ends book 1
- Handout - Epicurean Friendship in Cicero's On The Ends book 1
- Discussion Forum For Week 4