Introduction to Greek Philosophy

Introduction to Greek Philosophy

Yoav Meyrav

Objective: To familiarize students with the main figures and central texts of the Classical period of Greek philosophy, focusing on themes and modes of argumentation in philosophy of nature, metaphysics, ethics, and politics.

Method: Lectures and joint analysis of key passages.

Course Requirements and their Grading:

* Attendance - Mandatory (10%)

* Mid-term Assignment (paper; 3–4 pages)– Pre-Socratics (30%)

* Final Assignment (paper; 6–8 pages) – Plato and Aristotle (60%)

* Fruitful participation in class can warrant up to 5 extra points to the final grade, at my discretion.

Course Structure and Texts:

*** Note: Please follow the course website for focus on the passages you should prepare for each session; you must have the text in front of you in class ***

[A] Introduction: What is Greek Philosophy? Historical and Thematic Orientation

[B: The Pre-Socratics]

[B1] The Milesians: Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes

Text: Select Fragments in Cohen, S.M., P. Curd, and C.D.C. Reeve, eds., Readings in Ancient Greek Philosophy – From Thales to Aristotle [AGR], Indianapolis/Cambridge: Hackett (1995), 8–14.

[B2] Pythagoreanism

Text: Select Fragments in AGR, 15–20.

[B3] Xenophanes

Text: Select Fragments in AGR, 21–23.

[B4] Heraclitus

Text: Select Fragments in AGR, 24–34.

[B5] Parmenides

Text: Select Fragments in AGR, 35–41.

[B6] The Pluralists: Anaxagoras and Empedocles

Text: Select Fragments in AGR, 42–56.

[B7] Zeno of Elea

Text: Select Fragments in AGR, 57–61.

[B8] The Atomists – Leucippus and Democritus

Text: Select Fragments in AGR, 62–69.

[B9] The Sophists

Text: Select Fragments in AGR, 75–82.

[C: Socrates]

[C1] Socrates: Conflicting Narratives

Texts: (i) Plato, Apology, in AGR, 106–124;
(ii) Xenophon, “Apology of Socrates to the Jury”, tr. A. Patch, in R.C. Bartlett, ed., Xenophon: The Shorter Socratic Writings. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press (1996), 9–17;
(iii) Aristophanes, Clouds, tr. P. Meineck. Indianapolis/Cambridge: Hackett (2000).

[C2] The Socratic Method

Text: Plato, “Laches”, tr. I. Lane, in T.J. Saunders, ed., Plato: Early Socratic Dialogues, Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1987, 83–115.

[D: Plato]

[D1] From Socratic Method to Platonic doctrine

Text: Plato, Meno, in AGR, 185–210.

[D2] Soul and Recollection

Text: Selections from Plato, Phaedo, in AGR, 211–241.

[D3] The Republic between Ethics, Politics and Metaphysics

Text: Plato, The Republic, tr. T. Griffith, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000, Books 1 (pp. 1–36); 2 (pp. 37–70); 4 (pp. 111–143), 6–7 (pp. 186–254).

[D4] The Theory of Ideas Revisited

Text: Selections from Plato, Parmenides, in AGR, 211–241.

[E: Aristotle]

[E1: Moving Beyond Plato: Critique of the Theory of Ideas]

Text: Aristotle, Metaphysics, book 1, chapter 9, in AGR, 596–599. (1)

[E2: Change and the Theory of Causes]

Text: Aristotle, Physics, Book 1, chapters 7 and 8 (AGR, 524–529); Book 2, chapters 1–3 (AGR, 530–537)

[E3: What is the Soul?]

Text: Aristotle, On the Soul, Book 1, chapter 1 (AGR, 637–640); Book 2, chapters 1–3 (AGR, 640–645)

[E4: Ethics, Virtue, and Happiness]

Text: Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, tr. T. Irwin, Second Edition, Indianapolis/Cambridge: Hackett 1999. Books 1–2 (pp. 1–30), Book 10, chapters 6–8 (pp. 162–167)

[F] Conclusion: The Legacy of Greek Philosophy through the Age

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