Unit information: Ancient Philosophy in 2010/11

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Unit name Ancient Philosophy
Unit code PHIL20040
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Pearson
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department Department of Philosophy
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

In this course we will be reading a number of Plato's dialogues, including the Apology, Euthyphro, Lysis, Hippias Major, Meno, Phaedo, and the Theaetetus. In these dialogues Plato presents Socrates as discussing a variety of topics, e.g. the nature of virtue, friendship, piety, the soul, knowledge, etc. This course will engage with these dialogues in two ways. First, we shall examine the arguments that Plato provides in their own terms. Second, we shall address some issues that run through a number of the dialogues; e.g. whether there is a transition from a commitment to what we might call 'Socratic forms' (roughly universals), in some early dialogues, to what are commonly known as 'Platonic Forms' in the Phaedo.

Intended Learning Outcomes

  • To have a critical understanding of the relevant texts, and of the issues involved in their interpretation
  • To be well prepared for more advanced third-year options in ancient philosophy

Teaching Information

20 hours of seminars and/or lectures.

Assessment Information

One three hour examination

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