301+syllabus+fall+_14+rev.8.25

7/27/2019 301+syllabus+Fall+_14+rev.8.25

1/4

rev. 8/25

PHIL/CLAS 301

Topic: Socrates

Fall 2014

10:50-12:05 TTh

Sewall 460

Prof. Donald Morrison

Humanities 204713-348-2714

[email protected]

Office hours: TTh 1:302:30.

The course will focus on understanding the philosophical activity of Socrates. He never

wrote a single word of philosophy, but he is arguably the most influential and importantphilosopher in history. We know Socrates mainly through the Socratic dialogues of his

pupil, Plato, and those of Xenophon, another contemporary who knew Socrates firsthand.

The reading for the course will include several of the best of Platos Socratic dialogues as

well as readings from Xenophon and from an anthology of writings by Socrates students,The Circle of Socrates. We will consider such questions as the following: How do we

know about Socrates and his thought? What was the intellectual activity to which

Socrates devoted his life--philosophy? What is the Socratic method? What is Socraticignorance (i.e. the claim that he knows that he does not know)? What is Socratic irony?What is virtue? What is Socrates theory of the good?

Course Goals:

After taking this course, student should have:

Aquired a deeper understanding of the nature of philosophy.Improved their skills at reading an historical text.

Improved their skills at philosophical analysis and construction of arguments.

Learned the main concepts and methods of Socrates philosophizing.

Course requirements:

Regular attendance and participation.

One 5 page paper, due in class on Oct. 7.One 10 page paper, due 5 PM on Dec. 17 (the end of exam period).

One in-class presentation.


2/4

From time to time, short ungraded homeworks and other assignments.

Components of the final grade: Final paper, 40%; midterm paper, 20%; presentation

20%, homeworks, attendance, and participation, 20%.

Note: All work must be completed in order to pass the course.

Attendance is required.

Extensions: I am sometimes willing to grant extensions of paper deadlines, for very good

reasons and only if asked in advance. Otherwise, late papers will be penalized 1/3 gradeper day.

Honor code matters:

The papers and presentations must be your own work. Ideas and evidence derived from

others (whether through conversation or by reading) must be acknowledged in a note. Iimpose no style sheet for citing publications, but the reference must be complete enough

to clearly identify the source. For modern authors, cite page number; for ancient authors,

use the standard system for citing that author. (These will be explained as we go along).

Students with disabilities

Any student with a documented disability needing academic

adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with me

during the first two weeks of class. All discussions will

remain confidential. Students with disabilities should alsocontact Disability Support Services.

Books:

Plato, Complete Works, ed. John Cooper, Hackett (This edition of Platos text is

required.)

The Circle of Socrates, ed. G. Boys-Stones and C. Rowe, Hackett (Circle)

DAILY TOPICS,READINGS,AND ASSIGNMENTS

Aug. 26: Introduction: who was Socrates? why is he important? why is heinteresting?

Aug. 28: Plato,Apology of Socrates

TheApologyas historical artifact: what is it? what does it represent?


3/4

The sources for Socrates: Plato and other writers of Socratic discourses;

the developmental theory of Platos dialogues

Socrates philosophical mission. Socrates life as a moral ideal.

Sept. 2: Plato,Apology of Socrates

Sept. 4: Xenophon,Memorabilia1.1-2,Apologyof Socrates

Plato, Phaedo 115b 118a: Socrates death

Sept. 9: Circle, chapter 4, Body and Soul

Socratic discourse: method, definition, argument, examination

Sept. 11: Plato,Euthyphro; Xenophon,Memorabilia4.6.

Sept. 16: NO CLASS.

Sept. 19: Plato, Crito.

Sept. 23: Plato, Crito

The sophists and the problem of expertise

Sept. 25: Plato,Hippias Minor; Xenophon,Memorabilia 4.4

Socrates craft analogy, the teaching of virtue, and Socratic moral theory

Sept. 30: Circle, chapter 2, Happiness and the Good

Oct. 2: Plato,Laches

Oct. 7: Plato, CharmidesFirst paper due in class.

Oct. 9: Plato,Lysis

Oct. 14: NO CLASS - recess

Oct. 16: Continued discussion ofLaches, Charmides,Lysis

Oct. 21: Plato,Euthydemus


4/4

Oct. 23: Plato, Protagoras; Circle, chapter 3, Virtue and Pleasure

Oct. 28: Plato, Protagoras

Socrates erotic expertise

Oct. 30: Plato, Symposium 212c-223d (Alcibiades speech); Circle,chapter 6, The

Erotic Socrates.

Nov. 4: Xenophon,Memorabilia 4.2: refutation of Euthydemus

Nov. 6: NO CLASS

Socrates on religion and the divine

Nov. 11: Circle, chapter 9, God and the World

Nov. 18: Circle, chapter 10, Lesser divinities and Socrates Sign

Nov. 20: Plato,Republic10

Socrates, the state, and virtue

Nov. 25: Plato,Republic1

Nov. 27: No class: Thanksgiving

Dec. 2: Plato, Gorgias

Dec. 4: Plato, Gorgias

301+syllabus+fall+_14+rev.8.25

Documents