PHIL 118JVirtue and the Good Life
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Philosophy
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 1 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An examination of the importance of virtue in general and of the cardinal virtues in particular (practical wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation) for the development of moral character and the enjoyment of the good life.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Reviewed on UW Flow
100% liked it63% easy100% useful
From 1 rating and 1 comment on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Amazing course. It is challenging and very content-heavy, but the content is rich. I thought about it every day, and it changed the way I look at the world. Consists of four tests all worth around 25% (+/- 5%) that you have to know the content well to succeed on. Majority of lecture content is pre-recorded so you can listen over-and-over again, which is very helpful. Some readings are quite long, such as those from Aquinas, but very worthwhile. Again, it is a very deep course that will change you, but you have to put the work in.
May 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
One post or comment in 1 thread mentions PHIL 118J, May 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2017
Is there a program you are currently not enrolled in that you would enjoy taking out of interest? 15 points, 66 comments
“For example; you're in CS but would like to take Religious Studies out of curiosity, or a language class to learn a language particularly close to you, etc...”
u/QuoteMaker_: “I actually wrote down a list of cool non-CS courses I want to take if I ever have the time: ENGL 306A (Intro to Linguistics) ENGL 335 (Creative Writing Workshop) PSYCH 253 (Social Psychology) PSYCH …”
[deleted]: “Yup! I'm taking ENGL 306A with my new favourite professor, Clive Forrester, PHIL/PSYCH 256 and have taken PSYCH 253. If you're also interested in PHIL courses outside of that list; I can help you out with PHIL 118J, 145 (Richards), 251 and 265.”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them