the art of living: part one

(with Dr. Paul Musso )

Apply Ancient Wisdom

To Modern Life.

Master the basics of Stoicism, Epicureanism, Aristotelianism, and Platonism. This course is specifically designed to help complete beginners learn the basics concepts of Ancient Ethics and apply them to modern life. Topics discussed include wisdom, excellence, knowledge, desire, pleasure, pain, and happiness.

Ivy-League Instruction.

A Fraction Of The Cost.

University courses are too expensive and too impersonal. I believe that the Humanities should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. After spending several years teaching and studying Ancient Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania, I have decided to make my courses available to the public in an affordable and personalized way. Enjoy the benefits of studying Philosophy in a small group setting with expert instruction.

Small Class Size.

High-Quality Instruction.

This course will be in-person only and will be limited to 10 seats per class in order to guarantee the highest quality instruction. Each student gets a significant amount of time to discuss philosophical ideas with their classmates and ask questions.

Current Schedule:

Coming Soon

Interested in receiving updates about this course? Join my email list below.

Meet Your Instructor

Paul Musso, PhD

I remember how intimidating the subject of Philosophy was for me when I first started questioning the world around me.

I was exposed to philosophical ideas as a young adult through classic films like "The Matrix" and, although I was fascinated, I always felt like I didn't really "get it".

When I would try to read difficult books, or talk to people who were smarter than me, I felt very uncomfortable and believed that I would never be able to think on a deeper level.

But there wasn't something wrong with me.

What I didn't realize was that although Philosophy is a notoriously difficult subject, if you had the right resources, and approached it in the right way, it could become more and more understandable.

But how do we know where to start? What should we read, and who should we listen to?

I made a lot of mistakes in my philosophical journey, but after years of teaching and studying Philosophy, I have learned what to avoid and where to start.

I have specifically designed this course to help complete beginners avoid making the same mistakes that I did, and feeling the way that I felt when I first became interested in Philosophy.

What You Will Learn

Stoic Ethics

Learn the fundamentals of Stoicism and how to apply them to modern life. The Stoics believed that the good human life was the life of excellence, wisdom, and self-control. We will discuss each of these Stoic concepts in detail as well as strategies for applying them to daily life so that we can live happier, less anxious lives.

Epicureanism

Learn the fundamentals of Epicureanism. The Greek philosopher Epicurus believed that the aim of life is tranquility and contentment, and that by filling our life with the right kind of pleasure, and avoiding certain kinds of pain, we can live happily. Although often overlooked and misunderstood, Epicureanism contains many helpful antidotes to the struggles of modern life.

Aristotelianism

Learn the fundamentals of Aristotelianism. Aristotle was the first philosopher to write a treatise on ethics, and is the most influential writer on ethics in history. Aristotle thought that the aim of life was "flourishing", and that this aim is achieved through developing our character excellently. We develop our character through deliberate daily practice. If we do this properly, Aristotle thought that we can achieve our full potential as human beings.

Platonism

Learn the fundamentals of Platonic and Socratic ethics. Plato thought that living well involves achieving the rights balance between the different parts of ourselves. Plato was famous for dividing the soul into three parts: the rational, the social, and the desiring parts. Plato was the student of the most famous Western philosopher, Socrates. Socrates thought that human excellence consists of knowledge about what is good and bad.

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Module 1: Socrates and Plato

In this module, you will:

Learn what makes Ancient Ethics distinct from Modern Ethics.
Learn the basic concepts of Greek ethics such as: Eudaimonia and Arete.
Learn the basics of Socrates' theory of human excellence and the human good.
Learn the basics of Plato's theory of human excellence and the human good.
Learn strategies for applying Socrates and Plato's theories to everyday life.

Module 2: Aristotle

In this module, you will:

Learn Aristotle's definition of Ethics and human happiness.
Learn Aristotle's theory of Virtue.
Learn how Aristotle's theory relates to the theories of Socrates and Plato.
Learn strategies for applying Aristotle's theory to everyday life.

Module 3: Epicurus

In this module, you will:

Learn about Epicurus' theory of the good human life.
Learn about the different kinds of human desires.
Learn about the nature of pleasure and pain.
Learn strategies for applying Epicurean ideas to the modern world.

Module 4: Greek Stoicism

In this module, you will:

Learn the basics of Greek Stoicism and how that differs from Roman Stoicism.
Learn about the Stoic view of the emotions and how they relate to reason.
Learn about the influence of Socratic ethics on Stoicism.
Learn strategies for applying Stoicism to everyday life.

Course Syllabus And Module Overview

This course is divided into four modules outlined below. Each module is specifically designed to provide a general overview of one of the main philosophical schools of thought in the ancient ethical tradition. Out of the six weeks in the course, two weeks will be spent on Aristotelianism and Stoicism, given their complexity.

Questions And Answers About The Course

1. Do I Need A College Degree To Study Philosophy Seriously?

Definitely not! Although philosophy is hard, it is a subject that is available to anyone who is curious, open-minded, and willing to work hard.

2. Do I Need To Read Anything In Order To Understand This Course?

The course is designed to require no texts or reading. Philosophy is a conversational discipline, and although reading philosophy is important and beneficial in various ways, it is not necessary to read any philosophical texts beforehand. Some texts will be provided during our meetings to facilitate discussion. At higher levels, reading philosophy becomes essential. To that end, I plan to offer a separate course in the future for those who are interested in learning how to read philosophical texts in pursuit of advanced study.

3. Which Philosophers Will We Discuss In This Course?

In this course, although we will focus on Stoicism, Epicureanism, Aristotelianism, and Platonism. This means that we will discuss Zeno of Citium, Chrysippus, Cleanthes, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Epicurus. We will also discuss several other figures along the way. For example, we will discuss Parmenides, Diogenes the Cynic, Cicero, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and the Sophists.

Closing Thoughts

When I think back to when I bought my first Philosophy book, I am in awe about how a simple curiosity about a subject matter could turn into a passionate lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

I purchased my first Philosophy book in High School, and it was titled "50 Philosophy Ideas You Really Need To Know". I remember telling myself that I was committed to finishing the entire book, even though I found the first few pages difficult.

One step at a time, one page at a time, and I have continued to read and learn new ways to see, new ways to think, and new ways to make sense of the human experience.

Philosophy is not for everyone, but everyone has a philosopher inside of them.

I want to share the beauty of this subject with as many people as I possibly can, so that it can change their lives the way it has changed mine.

Sincerely,

Paul Musso