Philosophy 288

Philosophy 288	Office Hours: 12:00-1:30 M,W
Spring 2006	(and by appointment)
Yancy Hughes Dominick	3067 Wescoe
11:00-11:50 M,W,F	864-2339
4008 Wescoe	yancy@ku.edu

Course Description:

In this class we will attempt an introductory exploration of Ancient Greek philosophy. We will begin with some important Presocratic thinkers, and then turn to Plato and Aristotle. We will focus our examination of these authors around a few main concerns: conceptions of the nature of reality, theories of knowledge, notions of moral excellence, and conceptions of and approaches to the philosophical project.

Structure:

As philosophy operates through questions and attempts at answers, this course will place some emphasis on class discussion and conversation, though there will be a significant amount of lecture. In order that these conversations be productive, reading assignments must be completed before each class meeting. The reading is substantial, so be prepared to spend an hour or more before each class. Homework assignments throughout the semester should help facilitate class discussion.

Texts:

• Readings in Ancient Greek Philosophy. Second Edition. Edited by S. Marc Cohen, Patricia

Curd, and C. D. C. Reeve. Indianapolis/Cambridge: Hackett, 2000.

• Additional readings to be made available online.

Website:

Students may see their grades, view the syllabus, and obtain supplementary readings on the Blackboard site for this course. To access the site go to http://courseware.ku.edu and follow the instructions. For assistance or problems with the website, please see instructor.

Requirements and Grades:

Attendance is expected. More than three unexcused absences will affect final grades. Homework and participation in class discussion will be worth 20% of the final grade.

Exams:

There will be two in-class exams, each worth 20% of the final grade, and a final exam, worth 20% of the final grade.

Papers:

Students will write one 3-5 page paper, worth 20% of the final grade. Topics and instructions will be discussed in class as the due date approaches.

Etc.:

• Academic misconduct will not be tolerated

(see http://www.studenthandbook.ku.edu/codes.shtml#Academic%20Misconduct).

• Makeup exams and late homework will be awarded full credit only upon demonstrated need (i.e., through proof of illness or emergency). Otherwise, 10% will be deducted.

• If you have special needs, please bring these to your instructor’s attention at the earliest opportunity.

Milesians (8-14)	Republic VI-VII (409-460)
Pythagoreans (15-20)	Republic VIII-IX (461-509)
Xenophanes (21-23)	Republic X (510-535)
Heraclitus (24-34)	Parmenides (536- 545)
Parmenides (35-41)	Aristotle Categories (588-594)
Zeno (59-63)	Topics (603-607)
Anaxagoras (42-47)	Posterior Analytics (608-625)
Empedocles (47-58)	Physics (626-658)
Democritus and Leucippus (64-71)	De Anima II-III (745-763)
Sophists (80-88)	Metaphysics IV (703-709)
Herodotus (handout)	Metaphysics VII (709-727)
Aristophanes Clouds	Metaphysics VIII (728-732)
Plato Republic I (263-291)	Metaphysics XII (732-740)
Republic II-III (292-349)	Nicomachean Ethics I-II (764-784)
Republic IV-V (350-408)	Nicomachean Ethics III, V-VII (784-813)
	Nicomachean Ethics X (813-823)