PHL2130

Greek philosophy

Dirk Baltzly

8 points - 3 hours per week - Second semester - Clayton - Prerequisites: A first-year sequence in philosophy

Objectives Students who successfully complete the subject ought to be able to explain central themes from the works of Plato and Aristotle in the light of scholarship on the subject and be able to offer, in modern terms, good reasons for or against the claim that the ancients were right. You should also be able to incorporate into your own written work the interpretive principles (such as charity and consistency) which are used by historians of philosophy.

Synopsis The subject examines ethical and metaphysical issues arising from the writings of Plato and Aristotle. In Plato's early dialogues, Socrates chooses to die rather than do what he regards as immoral. Plato also represents Socrates as someone who held the view that simply knowing what you ought to do is sufficient for doing it and that a moral virtue like courage really is a kind of knowledge. Plato's later dialogues and Aristotle's Ethics examine Socrates' position on these important issues. In the Phaedo Socrates argues that our souls survive the death of our bodies. This doctrine is intimately connected with the theory of Forms. In the second part of the course, we consider Aristotle's criticisms of the theory of Forms and his account of the soul, as well as other metaphysical issues like the nature of time, space and motion.

Assessment Two essays (2500 words each): 40% each - One 1-hour examination: 20%

Prescribed texts

Plato The last days of Socrates Penguin
A selection of further readings from Plato and Aristotle, available from the department

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