PHL2130 - Plato and platonism
6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate Faculty of Arts
Leader(s): Dirk Baltzly
Offered
Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)
Synopsis
In the first part of this century the British philosopher A. N. Whitehead remarked that 'all philosophy is but a series of footnotes to Plato.' This unit introduces students to some of the central themes in Plato's work. These will include: the relation between knowledge, moral virtue and happiness; the immortality of the soul and reincarnation; the existence and nature of Plato's "forms" - abstractions such as beauty itself, alleged to be the source of all beautiful things here. Finally we will look at some of the developments of Plato's philosophy in neoplatonism. For more information: http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/philosophy/ugrad/units
Assessment
Written work: 60% (2500 words)
Exam: 40%
Contact hours
2 hours (1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week
Prerequisites
At least six points of first year philosophy except with permission.
Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:
http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/philosophy/ugrad/units/phl2130.php