PHIL 210 - Introduction to Ancient Philosophy

This course explores the metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology of the pre-Socratics, the Sophists, Plato, Aristotle, the Epicureans, the Stoics, and the Skeptics. All these schools explored still-essential questions, such as: What are the ultimate constituents of reality? What is the nature of causation? What is a soul? What is knowledge, and what can we know? Is there a best way to live, and, if so, what is it? What is justice? How is my good related to the goods of others? The course seeks both to understand and situate the ancient texts historically and to discover philosophical insights that remain relevant in the social and scientific context of the twenty-first century.

Unit(s): 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group I
Instructional Method: Conference
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Notes: This course applies to the department’s ancient philosophy requirement.
Not offered: 2023-24
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Understand how arguments can be made, visions presented, or feelings or ideas conveyed through language or other modes of expression (symbols, movement, images, sounds, etc.).
Analyze and interpret texts, whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts.
Evaluate arguments made in or about texts (whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts).