The main aim of the lesson is to 1) familiarise students with basic concepts of hedonism, 2) to present several different versions of hedonistic positions and 3) to conceptually equip students and encourage them into discursive, critical and personal engagement with hedonistic ethical position (pro et contra hedonism approach).
Lesson plan
Hedonism
Lesson plan with a mixed methodology (frontal lecture and group work) offers an insight into basic premises of hedonistic ethical theory as well as critical argumentative "pro et contra" evaluation of hedonism as an ethical position.
| Author / creator | Curator | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Antonija Verovnik | Miha Andrič | 02/2019 |
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Aims and objectives
Content
The lesson is divided into three parts:
1) theoretical introduction to hedonism: a) concept of please, b) distinction between psycological and ethical hedonism, c) presentation of two hedonistic positions / philosophers, Epicurus and Aristippus, d) comparative analysis of active and passive hedonism and e) presentation of utilitarian theory as a intersection of hedonism and eudaemonism
2) Critical argumentative evaluation of hedonistic ethical position
3) Moderated discussion and group work focused on additional evaluation of hedonism, especially through the question: "Does seeking for pleasure makes on more or less human?"
Lesson plan also includes some tips on how to implement it in the classroom with younger pupils.
Learning activities
During the lesson students are engaged into three type of learning activities: 1) frontal lecture, 2) group work and 3) moderated plenary discussion.
Materials and resources
Suggested readings for teachers and students:
1) Epikur: Maksime, FNM 4/1995, Republiški izpitni center, Ljubljana
2) McIntyre Alasdair: Kratka zgodovina etike, 1993, Znanstveno in publicistično središče,
Ljubljana
3) Mill J. S.: Kaj je utilitarizem?, FNM 4/1995, Republiški izpitni center, Ljubljana
4) Savater Fernando: Etika za Amadorja, 1998, Cankarjeva založba, Ljubljana
5) Signer Monika: Abiturwissen praktische Philosophie — Etik: Grundpositionen der normativen
6) Etik, 1999, Klett, Stuttgart
7) Sruk Vlado: Morala in etika, 1986, Cankarjeva založba, Ljubljana
8) Vorlander Karl: Zgodovina filozofije I, 1968, Slovenska matica, Ljubljana
Location
High School Gimnazija Ravne na Koroškem, Ravne na Koroškem, Slovenija.
Time
This lesson was taught during the school year 2016-2017.
Teacher role
During the lesson teacher is acting as a lecturer and (in the second part) as a facilitator of a pro et contra discussion.
Grouping / classroom
Lesson is implemented in the 10-30 students. For group work they are divided into smaller groups.
Rationale
Basic introduction to concepts of hedonism and the mixture of methodologies (frontal lecture and with group work discussion) is aiming to equip students with conceptual apparatus and knowledge to understand contemporary ethical theory and to apply them in analysing the world around them.