Ancient Philosophy

Catalog description

The primary objective of this course is to introduce the student to the writings and arguments of the major ancient Greek philosophers. Accordingly, the course is both philosophical and historical. It is philosophical in the sense that we will try to understand the major components of the philosophical theories of the most influential thinkers of ancient Greece as well as examine the reasoning through which they arrived at these theories. It is historical in the sense that we will look at the development and growth of philosophical thought in ancient Greece and, as much as possible, situate these thinkers in their historical context. The course will cover five historical figures or groups of figures in ancient Greek philosophy: 1) Pre -Socratic Philosophers, 2) Socrates, 3) Plato, 4) Aristotle, and 5) Hellenistic Philosophers. Fall Only.