https://librivox.org/platos_republic/
Module 1: Early Greeks, Socrates, Plato, & Aristotle
In this module, you will be expected to read Plato’s Euthyphro. While they are referred to as “Plato’s” that can be something of a misnomer. While Plato did in fact write them, they are actually depictions of dialogues between Plato’s mentor and predecessor Socrates. The exact nature of these dialogues is still sometimes debated. Are they a transcript of actual conversations? Are they the preservation of Socrates’ own writings by Plato? Are they a creation or re-creation by Plato himself? The answers differ.
For our purposes, we will be reading this dialogue as (in one way or another) a representation of Socrates’ thoughts and ideas. Since Plato represents the beginning of a new era in Greek Philosophy, we will also be using it to understand the philosophical context into which Plato is writing. This is why we will make some reference to pre-Socratic voices in Greek Philosophy and the Sophists before turning our attention onto Socrates directly.
With the background of Socrates firmly in place, we then turn our attention to Plato and Aristotle with readings from Plato’s Republic. These are part of Plato’s own philosophical system and reflect his own ideas and development. In Plato and Aristotle we have two of the most significant and influential philosophers. In many ways much of what we will be studying for the rest of the term will be some form of adopting or rejecting some aspect of their thought. Here we will be trying to get as thorough an understanding of Plato in order to recognize the ways that Aristotle (a student of Plato) both continues and diverges from the teachings of his tutor.
The readings are listed below with the page numbers from the assigned textbook, but you can also click on the title to access an audio recording of the reading provided by LibriVox. Once you have completed the reading and listened to the lecture, make sure that you complete the Learning Activity assigned.
Read: Plato, The Republic and Other Works.
“Euthyphro,” pp. 425-443
Read: Plato, The Republic.
Books II, IV, VI, VII, and VIII,
pp. 41-70, 108-137, 174-263
Read: Aristotle, Introductory Readings.
Physics: i 1, 7-8; ii; vi 9; viii 5-6, 8.
pp. 36-68
Metaphysics: i 1-2; v 7-8; vii 1-4, 6, 10-11,13, 15-17; viii 1-3; ix 1-2, 5, 6, 7.
pp. 115-120, 147-186
https://lms.friends.edu/pluginfile.php/1541675/mod_resource/content/1/PHIL100-Spring2021-8weeks.m4a
1// Initial Reflection Paper
Summary:
Prompt:
- Write a 250-500 word reflection on the Euthyphro dialogue.
- What is Socrates’ predicament?
- What is the significance of the the “Euthyphro Dilemma” to Socrates’ situation?
- What is your own answer to the question/dilemma?
- AND Why is that Your answer?
Checklist:
- 250-500 Words
- Responds Directly to the prompt (all parts)
- Does not cover extraneous topics (i.e. Biography, dates, etc.)
- Does cite the relevant, assigned primary-source texts.
- Does not cite course materials (lectures, handouts, etc.)
Rubric:
- 1-6 Does not meet the basic passing requirements for this assignment.
- 7 Meets the basic passing requirements (ticks all boxes on the checklist).
- 8 Average Submission
- 9 Above average submission of a high quality.
- 10 Very high quality submission, a submission that merits high marks.
- 11 Distinction awarded to submissions of exceptional quality.
2///Unit Paper 1
Summary:
Prompt:
- Write a 250-500 word reflection on the Euthyphro dialogue.
- What is Socrates’ predicament?
- What is the significance of the the “Euthyphro Dilemma” to Socrates’ situation?
- What is your own answer to the question/dilemma?
- AND Why is that Your answer?
Checklist:
- 250-500 Words
- Responds Directly to the prompt (all parts)
- Does not cover extraneous topics (i.e. Biography, dates, etc.)
- Does cite the relevant, assigned primary-source texts.
- Does not cite course materials (lectures, handouts, etc.)
Rubric:
- 1-6 Does not meet the basic passing requirements for this assignment.
- 7 Meets the basic passing requirements (ticks all boxes on the checklist).
- 8 Average Submission
- 9 Above average submission of a high quality.
- 10 Very high quality submission, a submission that merits high marks.
- 11 Distinction awarded to submissions of exceptional quality.
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