Master of Arts (M.A.) in Ancient Philosophy

This program has several related aims:

• to introduce candidates to how the key ancient thinkers addressed the question of how human beings should secure the 'good life' and how to 'live well'.
• to develop an understanding of important concepts required for this endeavour, including 'good', 'pleasure', 'happiness', 'desire', and 'virtue'.
• to introduce to the candidate important texts written by the great thinkers of the period, namely: Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus and Epictetus.
• and to develop the necessary reasoning and analytical skills for accomplishing this.

The study of these ideas has more than mere academic interest, for the ancient thinkers set themselves the task of securing for their students 'the good life', that is, the capacity to live as well as one may in ways that are appropriate for rational and conscientious beings. The student on this program is therefore encouraged to appreciate in a significant sense what it means to be a philosopher (a 'lover of wisdom') and how living the 'philosophic life' contributes to one's well-being and to the development of one's humanity.

Graduate students of Ancient Philosophy will deepen their broad humanistic backgrounds, and will be expected to work independently and aggressively to identify and secure an understanding of the issues that seem most meaningful, the challenge of which will have the potential to stimulate the candidate to contribute to new knowledge in the discipline.

This endeavour will be pursued through a process of exploration and discovery that will inform students’ knowledge and further improve their analytical, critical, research and writing skills. A primary goal of graduate study is to facilitate recognition in the wider Humanities of the significance of Ancient Philosophy, and to identify various avenues by which mastery of the discipline might be cultivated.

The graduate program in Ancient Philosophy is suitable for students who intend to develop professional careers in a wide range of settings. The rigorous intellectual training that philosophy provides has value and appeal to employers in areas such as: teaching (most likely at the college level), course development and curricula design, research, civil service, local government, charities, information technology, solicitor’s firms, publishing, journalism, and so forth.

Entry into the MA program requires a recognised undergraduate degree (preferably in Philosophy or another of the Humanities). Beyond the general requirements of Warnborough College, no other general pre-requisites are required.

This program is offered via distance learning. Individual programs can be structured in modular formats; can be project/research directed, or can combine both options. At the graduate level, students are expected to be highly self-motivated and capable of independent work.

Students may be exempt from certain modules in the curriculum, based on prior courses taken, and/or demonstrated knowledge of philosophy and related disciplines. Modules taken at any time during the student’s career may be counted, if they fulfil appropriate requirements.

Because of the enormous flexibility of the WU program, students may work with their mentor to structure their program in the context of their individual interests, and professional and academic goals.

Students can work with their mentor to create new modules and expand current modules into customised programs, suited to their interests and capabilities. Read the complete module descriptions for information as well as ideas – think of them as a set of guidelines, rather than rules. They will also give you ideas on areas you may wish to pursue most aggressively, in your graduate program.

60 credits, including a Master’s Thesis, will be required for the MA degree. In accordance with Warnborough College regulations, MA candidates in Ancient Philosophy will need to fulfil the following requirements:

PART ONE: SURVEY OF THE PRIMARY SOURCES (4 credits each)

• PH500 Good, pleasure and happiness
• PH510 Knowledge and desire in virtue
• PH520 The good of others
• PH530 Virtue and happiness

PART TWO: KEY PHILOSOPHERS (4 credits each)

• PH515 Plato
• PH518 Aristotle
• PH538 The Philosophy of Epicurus
• PH541 The Philosophy of the Stoic Epictetus

PART THREE: RESEARCH PROJECT (28 credits)

• PH650 Thesis

>>> See List

Students can complete the program in four terms or less. (A term is four months.) Depending upon exemptions, performance and the workload, it may take more or less time. Students should regard four terms as the average length of the program. Students may shorten that timetable by arranging for high-intensity customised research projects.

Upon satisfactory completion of all requirements, students will receive the Master of Arts in Ancient Philosophy degree. There are no other exit points in the program. Students will receive credit for modules they have successfully completed.

Students pursue the MA in Ancient Philosophy via distance learning. Graduate students are expected to be resourceful, show initiative, and be able to work independently.

Students are required to obtain texts needed for successful completion of program projects, through libraries, on-line resources and/or bookstores.

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Note: All fees listed here refer to tuition only. It does not include ancillary expenses such as required materials (see above), textbooks, internet connections, postage, telephone calls, insurance and printing.

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View admissions information.
Note: Please specify if you wish to do the program by RESEARCH or by INSTRUCTION (modular).

Program Director: Professor Keith Seddon

Professor Seddon’s area of expertise is Philosophy in general, but specifically Philosophy of Religion, Metaphysics, Ancient Philosophy, Stoic Ethics, Classical Chinese Philosophy (including Taoism), and Applied Philosophy. Until 1996 he was the Director of Studies and editor of The Philosopher for the Philosophical Society of England. He has taught a wide range of Liberal Arts topics in further education colleges and correspondence colleges. Since 1987, he has been actively mentoring students via distance learning for Warnborough College. Professor Seddon has had his work published in books, and has published numerous articles and reviews in several periodicals including: Practical Philosophy, the Volga Journal of Philosophy and Social Sciences, Philosophy Now, and The Philosopher.
Professor Seddon serves on the International Editorial Board of Practical Philosophy and is a Fellow of the Philosophical Society of England.

Please contact Professor Seddon at k.h.s@btinternet.com or admissions@warnborough.edu