| Date | Topic, Readings, and Assignments |
|---|
| M 8/27 | Introduction—Why study ancient philosophy? |
| Unit 1—Socrates |
| W 8/29 | Socrates’ search for definitions. Plato, Euthyphro (in Five Dialogues). |
| F 8/31 | The Socratic elenchus. Euthyphro, cont’d. |
| M 9/3 | No class—Labor Day |
| W 9/5 | Socrates’ defense. Plato, Apology (in Five Dialogues). |
| F 9/7 | Was Socrates guilty as charged? Plato, Apology; Aristophanes, Clouds (in course reader). |
| M 9/10 | Socrates on virtue and law. Plato, Crito (in Five Dialogues). |
| W 9/12 | Socrates on virtue and law. Plato, Crito, Phaedo 115a-end (in Five Dialogues). First paper assignment handed out. |
| F 9/14 | Can virtue be taught? Plato, Protagoras, to 328d. |
| M 9/17 | The unity of the virtues. Protagoras, 328d–335c, 347c–351b. |
| W 9/19 | Weakness of will. Protagoras, to end. |
| F 9/21 | Weakness of will. Protagoras. |
| Unit 2—Plato |
| M 9/24 | The challenge to morality. Plato, Republic, book I. |
| W 9/26 | Glaucon’s challenge. Republic, book II, to 368c. First paper due. |
| F 9/28 | The ideal state. Republic, book II, 368c - book IV, 427c. |
| M 10/1 | The ideal state. Republic, book V, beginning – 471c. |
| W 10/3 | Justice in city and soul. Republic, book IV, 427c - end, book V, 471c–473e. |
| F 10/5 | Justice in city and soul. Republic, book IV, 427c - end, book V, 471c–473e. First paper returned. Peer review assignment due. |
| M 10/8 | Forms and causes. Plato, Phaedo, 63b–67b, 74a–75e, 96a–103a (in Five Dialogues), Hippias Major, 286a–293c (in course packet). |
| W 10/10 | Philosopher Kings. Republic, book V, 473e - book VI, 502c. |
| F 10/12 | Lovers of seeing and hearing. The cave. Republic, book VI - book VII, 520d. |
| M 10/15 | The cave and the philosopher’s education. Republic, book VII, selections from Euclid (in course packet). |
| W 10/17 | The defense of justice, concluded. Republic, books VIII-X. Rewrite of first paper due. |
| F 10/19 | The defense of justice, concluded. Republic, books VIII-X. Plato paper topics handed out. |
| Unit 3—Aristotle |
| M 10/22 | Knowledge and method. Aristotle, Posterior Analytics I.2–3, Physics I.1. |
| W 10/24 | The good, virtue, and human function. Nicomachean Ethics (NE) I.1–5, 7. |
| F 10/26 | Virtue and the mean. NE II.1, 3–6. |
| M 10/29 | Action, choice, and responsibility. NE III.1–5. |
| W 10/31 | Virtue and intellect. NE VI.1, 2, 5, 8, 12–13. |
| F 11/2 | Weakness of the will. NE VII.1–3. |
| M 11/5 | Weakness of the will. Aristotle paper topics handed out. |
| W 11/7 | Guest lecturer: Agnes Callard. Aristotle on friendship. NE VIII 1–3; IX 8–9. |
| F 11/9 | No class. |
| M 11/12 | No class - Veteran’s Day |
| W 11/14 | The best life. NE X.6–9. Review Aristotle’s ethics. |
| F 11/16 | Kinds of being. Categories 1–5. |
| M 11/19 | Nature. Physics II.1–2. |
| W 11/21 | No class |
| F 11/23 | No class - Thanksgiving |
| M 11/26 | Cause and chance. Physics II.3–7. |
| W 11/28 | Necessity and purpose. Physics II.8–9, Parts of Animals I.1. Second paper due. |
| F 11/30 | Cosmology. Physics VIII.5–6, Metaphysics XII.6, 7, 9, 10. |
| Epilogue—Hellenistic Philosophy |
| M 12/3 | Epicureanism. Cicero, excerpts from De Finibus I (in course reader). |
| W 12/5 | Stoicism. Epictetus, Enchiridion. |
| F 12/7 | Review. Study guide for final exam handed out. |
| M 12/10 | TBA |
| Th 12/13 | Final examination, 12:30–3:30 PM, location TBA. |
