PHI 3043/5043 - Ancient Philosophy

Institution:

Henderson State University

Subject:

Description:

?he safest general characterization of the European [and, more generally, Western] philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato." (Alfred North Whitehead) The claim, taken literally, is quite controversial. Taken in the spirit offered, it encapsulates a profound statement about Western thought. Plato, and his student Aristotle, are easily the two most important thinkers of the ancient Greek period and perhaps the most important thinkers in history. The great questions that perplex humanity to this day are questions with which they wrestled. Their work is striking in its originality (even to today), its comprehensiveness, and its depth. They were concerned with human nature, the role of ideas, the virtuous life, happiness and goodness, justice, the nature of the world, science, mathematics, education, and more. They laid the foundation for modern biology, physics, political theory, ethics, and aesthetics as well as providing a framework for current notions about liberal arts education and the well-rounded person. Topics discussed in this course include those broad concerns as well as more particular issues - the Socratic Problem, the nature of the Divine, Human Nature, Love, Metaphysics, and the incorporation of ancient culture (literary, political, artistic) into philosophical arguments. Part of this course will also examine the foundations of literary critical theory. This course satisfies the Capstone requirement for the Bachelor of General Studies degree

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.hsu.edu

Phone Number:

(870) 230-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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