Introducing Wesleyan Alumni & Family Academy, a free, non-credit bearing three-part lecture series that provides Wesleyan alumni and families with the opportunity to learn from Wesleyan faculty in a classroom-type setting. Material is based on real college course content and provides an opportunity for participants to continue, or get a glimpse of, a liberal arts education.
Living a Good Life
How to integrate philosophical ideas and principles with the everyday experience of our real-world lives
What does it mean to live a well-lived life? Philosophy in the ancient world was viewed not simply as an academic discipline or set of doctrines, but as a way of life itself. Join Tushar Irani, Professor of Philosophy and Letters, and fellow Wesleyan families for Living a Good Life.
This three-part mini course is based on a real course offered at Wesleyan, where students test the viability of different philosophical approaches to human well being, consider how they may be put into practice, and explore how they may still illuminate for us what it means to live a good life today. Together, participants will study two distinct approaches to the good life from Ancient Greek philosophy, drawn from the writings of Plato and Aristotle.
REGISTER
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Lecture Session (in-person)
Saturday, October 17, 2026
(Homecoming + Family Weekend)
10-10:50 a.m.
Frank Center for Public Affairs, Room 100
Wesleyan University
Not able to join in-person? This session will be recorded for all online registrants. -
Discussion Session (virtual)
Discuss with fellow alumni, parents, and families how Plato’s ideas about a well lived life remain relevant today.
Wednesday, January 6, 2027
7-8 p.m. ET
Zoom -
Discussion Session (virtual)
Discuss with fellow alumni, parents, and families how Aristotle’s ideas about a well lived life remain relevant today.
Wednesday, January 20, 2027
7-8 p.m. ET
Zoom
Additional Readings and Materials
Registrants are invited to prepare for sessions, and enhance their thinking and the quality of conversations with the group, by reading a series of excerpts drawn from Plato’s and Aristotle’s writings. Additional readings and material are listed here:
Coming Soon
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will I receive college credit for this course?
No, this is a non-credit bearing course. We aim to provide a low-pressure environment for our Wesleyan community to explore pragmatic liberal arts ideologies.
- Will there be homework or coursework assigned?
There are optional reading materials and video lectures to review to help you prepare for the discussion sessions. Additional material is not required to participate.
- Does registration guarantee my spot at the in-person WESeminar during Homecoming + Family weekend?
Seating at the Homecoming + Family Weekend lecture session is first-come-first-serve. Registrants of the virtual sessions will also be sent a recording of this session.
- Is registration required?
Registration is required for virtual sessions. Participants must register to receive the Zoom link.
- Where can I access the Zoom links for the discussion sessions?
Registrants will be sent the Zoom link via email. The same link will be used for both discussion session. The link will also be posted on the Alumni Events Page the day of the event.
- Who can participate in Wesleyan Alumni and Family Academy?
Wesleyan alumni, parents, and guests of alumni/parents are invited to participate. The material is based on college course content and is designed to resemble liberal arts education. Therefore, the course may be difficult to follow for participants under 12 years of age.