Module description
This module introduces foundational ideas from some of the most exciting and influential thinkers from ancient Greek philosophy. We will begin by looking at several important Pre-Socratic philosophers (such as Parmenides) with a particular focus on their contributions and approaches to epistemology and metaphysics. We then trace the thread of these debates through to three towering figures of classical Greek philosophy and the western philosophical canon: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
This course is designed to bring ancient Greek philosophical texts to life. In addition to understanding some of the key ideas and arguments presented by ancient Greek philosophers, as well as their engagement with one another, there will be a strong emphasis on developing an ability to interpret and critically analyse ancient Greek philosophical texts in a way that is both historically sensitive and philosophically engaging. We will achieve this through close reading of the original texts in English translation. Approaches to and methods for interpreting and analysing ancient Greek philosophical texts will be exemplified and discussed explicitly in lectures. In weekly seminars, students will also work with one another and their seminar leader to better understand the primary texts and discuss the intricacies of the arguments, while appreciating the different and diverging ways those texts can be interpreted.
The course is designed to be accessible to those who have not taken any philosophy courses before, and will include instruction on relevant philosophical skills such as textual analysis, scrutinising arguments, and writing philosophy.
Assessment details
Summative assessment: 1 x 2-hour exam (100%) in Assessment Period 2
Formative assessment: 1 x 1,500-word essay.
Educational aims & objectives
For students to be able to demonstrate the following intellectual, transferable, practicable, and subject specific skills:
- An awareness and understanding of a variety of ancient Greek philosophical authors and texts.
- An ability to engage with, analyse, and assess arguments as they appear in those texts.
- An appreciation of how one might provide different analyses of the same text.
- An ability to think critically about philosophical problems and propose well-supported answers.
Learning outcomes
The skill of closely reading ancient Greek philosophical texts (in translation); ability to engage critically and fruitfully with challenging (but rewarding!) historical texts; ability to write more clearly and accurately about philosophical arguments as they appear in ancient Greek texts; an appreciation of historical debates and questions central to contemporary philosophy.
Teaching pattern
One two-hour weekly lecture and one one-hour weekly seminar over ten weeks.
Suggested reading list
Core reading
S.M. Cohen, P. Curd, and C.D.C. Reeve, eds., Readings in Ancient Greek Philosophy: From Thales to Aristotle, 4th ed. (Hackett Publishing 2011).