"The Book of Genesis" Prof. Gary A. Rendsburg  (12 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture / 6x CD - The Great Courses)
The Ethics of Aristotle provides an accessible, immersive deep dive into the Nicomachean Ethics, stripping away abstract metaphysical jargon to examine what it truly means to live a flourishing human life. Rather than presenting morality as a rigid catalog of cosmic rules or absolute prohibitions, this course frames ethics as a practical, lifelong craft centered on the cultivation of good character. The lectures meticulously unpack Aristotle’s foundational premise that true happiness (eudaimonia) is not a fleeting emotional state or material reward, but an active habit attained through rational choices and daily discipline. By analyzing the core virtues of courage, moderation, justice, and prudence, the material transforms a 2,400-year-old text into a living blueprint for contemporary self-mastery.
 
Moving past basic definitions of right and wrong, the curriculum investigates the complex psychological friction that occurs when humans struggle to align their intellectual knowledge with their physical actions. It delivers an illuminating analysis of Aristotle’s famous "Doctrine of the Mean," exploring how moral excellence requires identifying the exact proportional balance between extremes of excess and deficiency relative to our unique circumstances. The series thoughtfully contrasts Aristotelian virtue ethics with the philosophies of his predecessors, Socrates and Plato, while examining his profound insights into the roles of friendship, pleasure, and civic duty within an organized society. Ultimately, these lectures demonstrate that ancient classical philosophy remains immensely relevant today, equipping learners with a timeless framework for sharpening their moral judgment and optimizing their personal potential.