Middlebury

PHIL 0175

Greek Philosophy

Greek Philosophy: The Problem of Socrates
Why did Socrates “call philosophy down from the heavens, set her in the cities of men and also their homes, and compel her to ask questions about life and morals and things good and evil”? Why was philosophy indifferent to man, then considered dangerous to men when it did pay attention? How was philosophy ultimately transformed by Plato and Aristotle as a consequence of the examination of human knowledge that Socrates made intrinsic to philosophy? This course introduces the central questions of ancient Greek philosophy from the pre-Socratics through Plato and Aristotle by focusing on what Nietzsche called "the Problem of Socrates": the question why Socrates abandoned "pre-Socratic" natural science in order to examine the opinions of his fellow Athenians, and why they put him to death for corruption and impiety. Texts: selected fragments of the pre-Socratics and sophists, works of Aristophanes, Xenophon, Plato, and Aristotle. 3 hrs. lect., 1 hr disc.
Subject:
Philosophy
Department:
Philosophy
Division:
Humanities
Requirements Fulfilled:
EUR PHL
Equivalent Courses:
PHIL 0201 *
PHIL 0275
CLAS 0275
CLAS 0175

Sections in Fall 2021