Participating in the Cambridge programme on Greek philosophy was a highly valuable academic experience that significantly deepened my understanding of ancient philosophical thought, particularly in relation to Plato and Aristotle. The programme offered a focused and rigorous engagement with key texts, including Plato’s Republic and Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, allowing me to approach familiar philosophical themes—such as justice, the soul, virtue, and happiness—from a more systematic and textually grounded perspective.
One of the most important gains from the programme was learning how to read classical philosophical texts with greater precision. Rather than treating philosophical doctrines as static conclusions, the teaching emphasised close reading, conceptual distinction, and the reconstruction of arguments within their original context. This approach helped me better understand how philosophical positions are developed through reasoning, dialogue, and response to intellectual challenges, especially in Plato’s treatment of justice and in Aristotle’s account of ethical virtue and practical reason.
The programme also contributed to my development in academic skills. Studying and discussing philosophy in English improved my ability to follow complex arguments, use philosophical terminology accurately, and express ideas clearly in an academic setting. The sessions on academic writing and general academic skills further strengthened my awareness of structure, clarity, and argumentative coherence, which are essential for philosophical research.
Overall, this programme not only enhanced my knowledge of Greek philosophy, but also refined my approach to philosophical study more broadly. It encouraged me to think more carefully about methodology, textual interpretation, and the relationship between ancient philosophy and contemporary ethical questions. The experience has had a lasting influence on how I engage with philosophical texts and how I envision my future academic development.
