SCHEDULE
Note: This syllabus is intended to give the student guidance in what may be covered during the semester and will be followed as closely as possible. However, the professor reserves the right to modify, supplement and make changes as the course needs arise.
WEEK 1
Tuesday, 9/3: Introduction to the course, to philosophical arguments, and to each other
I. THE INTELLECTUAL WORLD OF THE PRE-SOCRATIC THINKERS
Thursday, 9/5: Greek thought in the Sixth Century BCE
WEEK 2
II. THE PRE-SOCRATIC THINKERS AND THE NATURAL WORLD
Tuesday, 9/10: The basis of the natural world and the inner workings of nature; sharply new conception of the gods: The Milesians - Thales
Required Reading: Ch. 1 "The Sources of Early Greek Philosophy," Ch. 2 "Hesiod and the Beginnings of Greek Philosophy and Science," and Ch. 3 “Miletus in the Sixth Century: The Cultural Setting for the Beginnings of Philosophy” and Ch. 4 “Thales of Miletus” (in Philosophy Before Socrates).
Thursday, 9/12: The Milesians, continued - Anaximander & Anaximenes
Required Reading: Ch. 5, “Anaximander of Miletus” (in Philosophy Before Socrates)
Optional Reading: Ch. 6, “Anaximenes of Miletus” (in Philosophy Before Socrates)
WEEK 3
Tuesday, 9/17: The nature of human understanding; conception of the gods; ideas that would later contribute to Plato’s Theory of Forms: Xenophanes
Required Reading: Ch. 7, Xenophanes of Colophon (in Philosophy Before Socrates)
Thursday, 9/19: All things change, always: the doctrine of flux; the concept of universal law: Heraclitus of Ephesus
Required Reading: Ch. 10, “Heraclitus of Ephesus” (in Philosophy Before Socrates)
Friday, 9/20: Heraclitus, continued
Thanksgiving make-up day
Required Reading: [To be announced]
WEEK 4
Tuesday, 9/24: Using the John Cabot University library services
Required Reading: None
Thursday, 9/26: A rejection of the possibility of change; a rejection of natural philosophy (incl. contra-Milesians): Parmenides of Elea
Required Reading: Ch.11, “Parmenides of Elea” (in Philosophy Before Socrates)
WEEK 5
Tuesday, 10/1: The nature and constitution of the world; A rejection of the possibility of change (incl. contra-Heraclitus); Responses to Parmenides: Anaxagoras of Clazomenae & Empedocles of Acragas
Required Reading: Ch. 13 “Anaxagoras of Clazomenae” and Ch.14 “Empedocles of Acragas” (in Philosophy Before Socrates)
Thursday, 10/3: Discussion of how to write a philosophy paper; discussion of paper topics
WEEK 6
Tuesday, 10/8: Against the possibility of change and an illustration of the power of logic: Zeno of Elea
Required Reading: Ch. 12, Zeno of Elea (in Philosophy Before Socrates)
Thursday, 10/10: Mathematics and the world, the immortality of the soul: Pythagoras of Samos and the Pythagoreans
Required Reading: Ch. 9 “Pythagoras of Samos and the Pythagoreans” (in Philosophy Before Socrates)
First writing assignment topics distributed
WEEK 7
Tuesday, 10/15: Presentations
Thursday 10/17: Presentations
III. THE PRE-SOCRATIC THINKERS AND ETHICS
WEEK 8
Tuesday, 10/22: Overview of Pre-Socratic thoughts on the status of morality and its underlying character: Various Pre-Socratics (including Pythagoras, Parmenides, Empodocles, Hercletus)
Required Reading: [To be announced]
Thursday, 10/24: Overview of Pre-Socratic thoughts on the status of morality and its underlying character: Various Pre-Socratics (including Pythagoras, Parmenides, Empodocles, Hercletus)
Required Reading: [To be announced]
First writing assignment due
IV. SOCRATES/PLATO
WEEK 9
Tuesday, 10/29: The wisdom of Socrates; a focus on ethics: Plato/Socrates
Required Reading: Plato, Apology (in Five Dialogues)
Thursday, 10/31:
Required Reading: [To be announced]
WEEK 10
Tuesday, 11/5: Definition and Elenchus: Plato/Socrates
Required Reading: Plato, Euthyphro (in Five Dialogues)
Thursday, 11/7: The Euthyphro Problem
Required Reading: The Euthyphro, continued
WEEK 11
Tuesday, 11/12: What is the nature of our obligation to obey the law? Are there limits to this obligation? Plato/Socrates
Required Reading: Plato, Crito (in Five Dialogues)
Thursday, 11/14: What is virtue? Can it be taught? Plato/Socrates
Required Reading: Plato, Meno (in Five Dialogues)
WEEK 12
Tuesday, 11/19: Socrates’ critique of Anaxagoras (Pre-Socratic thinker): Plato/Socrates
Required Reading: Plato, Phaedo (in Five Dialogues)
Thursday, 11/21: Required Reading: [To be announced]
WEEK 13
Tuesday, 11/26: The theory of forms: Plato/Socrates
Required Reading: Plato, Phaedo (in Five Dialogues)
Second writing assignment topics distributed
Final exam topics distributed
NO CLASS on Thursday, 11/28 (Thanksgiving)
WEEK 14
Tuesday, 12/3: Discussion of paper topics and final exam review
Thursday, 12/5: Wrapping Up
Presentation of Reflection Papers: Bring reflection paper to class!