5202001 History of Western Philosophy
| Numbering Code | U-LET02 25202 LJ34 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ Second semester | |
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| Number of Credits | 2 | Course Type | Lecture | |
| Target Year | Target Student | |||
| Language | Japanese | Day/Period | Wed.5 | |
| Instructor name | HAYASE ATSUSHI (Graduate School of Letters Associate Professor) | |||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course |
This lecture series will outline the emergence and development of philosophy in Ancient Greece. Ancient Greek philosophy is not merely a discipline of historical significance; it will also provide us with profound insights to understand some aspects of the modern world because of its pervasive influence throughout the history of Western philosophy and thought. It played a crucial role in the formation of philosophical and scientific concepts and of methods for organizing these concepts. Further, it continuously inspires us by portraying a thorough model of in-depth thinking on the fundamental questions of life. The second part of this lecture series deals with philosophical thought in the 5th century BCE, with the main emphasis on Socrates. I shall start with the so-called Sophistic movement that occurred against the backdrop of the transformation of the Athenian political system after the Persian war. I shall then turn to Socrates and his disciples. Socrates did not write anything himself, and hence, we have to rely on highly scant testimonies written by his contemporaries and disciples. As far as Plato, one of Socrates' disciples, is concerned, I shall take up only his 1st-group dialogues (or early dialogues) in this part. |
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| Course Goals |
To develop the ability to explain views proposed by pre-eminent Greek philosophers on the basis of a proper understanding of their context. To develop the ability to consider how Ancient Greek philosophy has been influential in our modern world. |
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| Schedule and Contents |
The plan of lecture is as follows. The 1st session: Introduction to the history of Ancient Greek philosophy The 2nd session: The Sophistic movement The 3rd session: Protagoras and Gorgias The 4th session: The Socratic problem, Socrates in Aristophanes' /Clouds/ The 5th session: The Apology of Socrates The 6th session: The Socratic literature The 7th session: Xenophon's Socrates The 8th session: Plato's life and works The 9th session: How to read Plato's dialogues The 10th session: Socrates' autobiography (1): natural philosophy The 11th session: Socrates' autobiography (2): the theory of forms The 12th session: Socrates' pursuit of definitions (1): background and structure The 13th session: Socrates' pursuit of definitions (2): elenchus The 14th session: Weakness of will The 15th session: Feedback |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy | The final grade will be weighted as follows: final exam, 75%; short midterm essay, 25%. | |||
| Course Requirements | None | |||
| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) | I shall distribute copies of materials for class in advance. Have a look at them before attending a session. | |||
| Textbooks | Textbooks/References | Not used | ||
| References, etc. | Introduced during class | |||
