PHIL 210.001 – Ancient Greek Philosophy

Instructor: James Lesher. This course meets TR 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. in CW 103.

In PHIL 210 we will explore the development of Greek philosophy from its beginnings in the 6th century BC down to the end of the classical period. The major figures studied will be the Presocratic philosophers, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. We will explore such questions as What factors may have sparked the onset of Western philosophy and science?, What were the most important contributions made by the Presocratic thinkers?, What challenges do we face in determining the nature of Socrates’ philosophical views, and What were his chief innovations?, What were the main elements of Plato’s philosophy?, and What were Aristotle’s major contributions to scientific and ethical thought? The course is intended to serve as an introduction to ancient Greek philosophy, to shed light on the classical origins of modern thought, and to provide experience in formulating and evaluating philosophical arguments.

Text: Cohen, Curd, and Reeve, Readings in Ancient Greek Philosophy, 5th edition