PHIL10070 The First Philosophers

Academic Year 2023/2024

Philosophy began in Greece, and it remains true to say that the greatest philosophers were the Greeks. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle shaped the course of Western Civilization. The best possible introduction to philosophy as a subject is through engagement with Ancient Greek Philosophy. It is also in a way the easiest introduction to Philosophy, because, whether we are exploring the odd, cryptic remarks of Heraclitus, or eavesdropping on a spiky conversation between Socrates and one of his fellow Athenians, there is a directness, an immediacy, an urgency and virility about Greek philosophy that is missing from the more abstract, dry, technical and frankly tedious nature of later, especially recent, philosophy. This is because the central issue for the Greeks always comes back to the most important question of all: how should one live?
In this module we will look at some of Plato's writings about his friend and mentor Socrates, in particular those writings that bear on the trial and death of Socrates. These include Plato's 'Apology', 'Euthyphro', and 'Crito', a series of short, lively dialogues that offer excellent introductions not only to Socrates, but to the practice of philosophy itself. We will also look back at the earliest Greek philosophers, such as Parmenides and Heraclitus, and forward to Aristotle and beyond. But the central focus of this module is on the figure of Socrates, and his impact on philosophy.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module diligent students should be able to: 1. show familiarity with the problems that preoccupied the Ancient Greek philosophers; 2. interpret and comment intelligently upon selected texts of the Presocratics, Plato, and Aristotle in English translation; 3. appreciate the impact of the figure of Socrates on the development of Greek philosophy; 4. show an awareness of the 'Socratic problem', and in general be able to identify and distinguish the 'Socratic dialogues' from Plato's other dialogues; 5. compare and critically evaluate the key ideas and arguments of Greek philosophy; 6. show familiarity, and critical engagement, with influential interpretations in the secondary literature on the Presocratics, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle concerning the topics under consideration; 7. appreciate the importance of historical context when studying Ancient Philosophy and the History of Philosophy in general.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Tutorial

8

Autonomous Student Learning

93

Total

125

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Forthcoming. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
PHIL10010 - Intro to Ancient Philosophy, PHIL1009E - Intro to Ancient Philosophy, PHIL10130 - Intro to Ancient Philosophy


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Essay on assigned topic Week 12 n/a Graded No

25

Examination: 2 hour Examination 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

50

Essay: Essay on assigned topic Week 8 n/a Graded No

25


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Armando Francesco D'Ippolito Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
     
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 15:00 - 15:50
Spring