PHIL 25A (In Person) Ancient Philosophy

The Platonic Solids (the five regular polyhedrons)

Course Description

Description

This course provides an introduction to ancient Greek philosophy through a survey of classic texts in the field. Greek philosophy initiated the development from which all subsequent Western science grew, as well as all subsequent Western metaphysical, ethical, social, and political thought. However, Greek philosophy is not only of historical interest. The Greeks of this time invented logic and mathematics (as a deductive discipline), and the secular, reason-based pursuit of general knowledge of the world and our place in it. Along the way, they discovered most of the problems that still puzzle philosophers today. Thus, the study of Greek philosophy will require us to confront and investigate an array of live philosophical issues and problems.

Learning Outcomes

As a student in this course, expect by the end to learn:

1. A sound knowledge of the main personalities, theories, and issues of Greek philosophy.
2. A grasp of the scope of philosophical inquiry in general.
3. An acquaintance with many of the main problems of philosophy.
4. An appreciation of philosophical argumentation, and more broadly, of logical argumentation.

Topics

Pre-Socratic Philosophy

Milesian Monists (Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes)
The Pythagoreans (Pythagoras, Philolaus)
Xenophanes
Heraclitus
The Eleatic Monists (Parmenides, Melissus, Zeon)
Empedocles
Anaxagoras
The Atomists (Leucippus, Democritus)
The Sophists (Protagoras, Gorgias, Critias, Antiphon, others)

Socrates

The founder of moral philosophy

Plato

"Prince of philosophers"

Major Readings: Protagoras, Meno, Phaedo, Republic

Aristotle

"The master of those who know."

Major Readings: Categories, De Interpretatione, Topics, Posterior Analytics, Metaphysics, Physics

Course Information

Format

This is an in person class. All lectures, exams, and other class activities take place at CCSF Ocean Campus (room TBA).

Technology Requirement: Although this is an online course, the syllabus, lecture slides, readings, and other materials are accessed through the Learning Management System Canvas. So, you will need a device with an Internet connection sufficient for this.

Textbook: Introductory Readings in Ancient Greek and Roman Philosophy, 2nd Edition, edited by C.D.C. Reeve and Patrick Lee Miller, Hackett Publishing, 2015.

You can find important dates on the Admissions & Registration Important Dates webpage.

Add/Drop

Adds

During the add period (first three weeks of term), I will usually allow any student who submits an "Add Request" to add my class. After the add period, I usually will not.

Drops

It is important to establish your presence in class as a "live participant" in the first week. By the end of the first week of class (or within five days of adding, if you add the class after the semester begins), you should have attended and participated in class meetings. If you have not, you may be dropped from the class.

However, once you are established as a live participant, I am not very quick to drop students who fall behind on their assignments. I will normally (but not necessarily!) communicate with you before taking any action such as dropping you. Thus, if you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund (after 10% of course length), a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%). Don't presume that I will automatically drop you.

Reminder

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