This online synchronous 8-week class is focused on a topic that many people have found important, worth devoting thought to, but also puzzling from ancient times down to the present: morally good traits of character that are often called "the virtues". We will be looking specifically at one main tradition in virtue ethics that had many adherents in ancient times, and that many people study and practice in the present-day: Stoicism

In this class, we will be focusing on philosophical accounts, analyses, and arguments either drawn from, presenting positions of, or making criticisms of Stoic discussions about virtue and the virtues. The conception of virtue is central in Stoic philosophy and connects up with a number of other important moral ideas in Stoicism, such as what is genuinely good or bad in the full sense, the distinction between what is and what is not in our control, what sorts of relationships we ought to have or strive for and the nature and moral value of the emotions, just to name a few.

This class will introduce you to some of these important matters. It will also lead you into a number of well-thought-out viewpoints on the nature and extent of the cardinal virtues. These perspectives derive from the existing works of philosophers in ancient Mediterranean (sometimes called "Greco-Roman") culture, in which great minds make sense of their own experiences, work through puzzles and problems, reflect upon our social, affective, and rational nature,

The schedule for study of our texts, authors, and schools is primarily a thematic one. We begin in the first two weeks with Stoic discussions of virtue as one of the main good things, the general conception of virtue, how we develop the conception of virtue and become virtuous, and then why the Stoics thought there were four main (or "cardinal") virtues: wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. We will also engage in a bit of comparison and contrast between the Stoic account of virtue and the virtues and several other rival traditions of virtue ethics.

The third through the seventh week of our class will be devoted to "deep dives" into relevant texts, reconstructing what the Stoics thought and taught about each of these four cardinal virtues, including the sub-virtues that they included under their headings.

Week 3 will focus upon the virtue of temperance or "self-control", which not only has to do with what we do with our desires and pleasures, but also with decorum and an orderly life.

In week 4, we will move on to another virtue that has a wide scope for Stoics, that of courage. This involves more than just dealing with our feelings of fear. Diligence and perseverence are integral parts of courage for the Stoics, as is the capacity to "rise above" in magnanimity.

Weeks 5 and 6 will focus on a virtue absolutely central to the Stoics, that of justice. We will be looking at what Stoic authors thought we owe to each other, how our common social nature leads us to living in communities, and problems and issues that can arise when we try to do justice to as many people as we can. Another key part of the Stoic understanding of justice is that it encompasses kindness, generosity, and benevolence.

Week 7 will shift to the final virtue, that of wisdom or prudence (and the distinction that can be made between them). We will look at how the Stoics thought we human beings ought to develop our intellectual capacities and rational nature.

The 8th and final week of our class we will examine some of the criticisms that were made of the Stoic account of virtue and the virtues by other ancient philosophers and schools (including Seneca's own criticism of some fellow Stoics), and Stoic responses to those criticisms. Foremost among these are the Stoic positions that people are either virtuous or vicious, and that growth in virtue is not possible. In addressing this, we will look at what Stoic thinklers have to say about making progress, the sage, and people who are making progress.

My hope for this class is that every student enrolled will deepen their own understanding of the Stoics' understanding of the virtues through study of and reflection upon the ideas from the texts, in our class lectures and discussions, and through experimenting with applying what they have learned to their own lives, experiences, and relationships.

I look forward to spending a great eight weeks with all of you, centered around our study together of these classical treatments of a very important matter in our lives!