PHIL 101 - History of Western Philosophy: Ancient

Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
1 unit(s)

a: The course concentrates on the ethical and metaphysical thought of Plato and Aristotle. We consider their answers to two questions that both see as intimately connected: What is a good life for a human being? And: what is it for something to exist? Jeffrey Seidman.

b: In the ancient world, where knowledge of the workings of the natural world was limited, philosophy served many indispensable roles. Philosophy provided ways to inquire about the workings of the natural world, the correct manner to acquire and apply knowledge, the source and content of sociopolitical, moral, and spiritual obligations, and the purpose of a human life. Philosophy also served as a primary vehicle for educating the next generation and disseminating important ideas. This introductory survey course examines the philosophical thought of some of ancient Western thinkers, including the pre-Socratics, Plato, and Aristotle, as well as discuss their influence on and relation to concurrent and later Jewish, Roman, and Christian thinkers. This course includes discussions of the role of women in the ancient Western world and their contributions to philosophy. Sofia Ortiz-Hinojosa.

Two 75-minute periods.