Syllabus
The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato. —Alfred North Whitehead
This course is an introduction to ancient Greek philosophy, and, for the uninitiated, to philosophy itself. We will spend almost all of our time on Socrates (469–399 BC), Plato (427–347 BC), and Aristotle (384–322 BC), with a passing glance at pre-Socratic and Hellenistic philosophers. Our primary goal will be to understand each philosopher’s characteristic methods and views, and (more importantly) his reasons for holding these views.
It is often said that we should study ancient Greek philosophy because it is the intellectual basis for all later western philosophy and natural science. This is true, but it is only half the story. We should also study ancient Greek philosophy to become familiar with a worldview so alien that it throws our own into sharp relief. As you are outraged by some of the things these philosophers say, you will come to see more clearly what your own views are, and you will be forced to ask what justifies them. You will not just be studying the history of philosophy; you will be doing philosophy.
Prerequisites
There are no specific prerequisites for this course. We’ll do our best to introduce you to philosophical reading and writing. In order to do well, you will have to spend a lot of time reading, rereading, and thinking about the texts. (You will find that if you read them as you would read a novel or book of history, you won’t get much out of them.)
Books
There are five required books. The first four are now available at the campus bookstore; the fifth will be available later:
- Plato, Five Dialogues, trans. Grube (Hackett).
- Plato, Republic, trans. Reeve (Hackett).
- Plato, Protagoras, trans. Lombardo/Bell (Hackett).
- Aristotle, Aristotle: Introductory Readings, trans. Irwin/Fine (Hackett).
- Epictetus, The Handbook (Encheiridion), trans. White (Hackett).
In addition, there is a required course packet, available at Copy Central on Bancroft. It contains excerpts from Aristophanes’ Clouds, Plato’s Hippias Major, Euclid’s Elements, Cicero’s De Finibus, and Sextus Empiricus’s Outlines of Phyrronism.
Although some of you may already own translations of works by Plato or Aristotle, it is important that you use the translations we have selected, so that we’ll have a common version of the text for everyone to discuss. These translations are among the best available, and the books are inexpensive.
Requirements
Your grade will be based on the following:
Paper on Socrates (4–5 pp., double-spaced). Topics will be provided. (20%)
Peer review assignment on Socrates paper. (5%)
Rewrite of Socrates paper (graded half on improvement, half on overall quality). (20%)
Paper on either Plato or Aristotle (4–5 pp., double-spaced). Topics will be provided. (25%)
Final exam (three hours, in-class, comprehensive). (30%)
Students who get an A- or higher on the Socrates paper may substitute an additional paper on Plato or Aristotle for the rewrite of the Socrates paper.
For due dates, see the schedule. Late papers (up to one week late) will be accepted but docked up to one full grade (e.g., from A- to B-). No papers will be accepted more than one week after their due dates. Active participation in section can make a difference to your grade in borderline cases.
Lectures
Lectures will take place MWF 11–12 in 145 Dwinelle. Attendance is expected. Some of the lectures marked “TBA” may eventually be canceled; be sure to check the website for the most up-to-date information.
You will get the most out of lectures if you do the assigned reading before lecture, then again after lecture. Use the Study Questions on the website to help guide you to most the important parts of the text.
Sections
All students must attend a discussion section. We will pass out section preference cards on Wednesday, August 29. Section assignments will be emailed to you by Monday, September 3, and section meetings will begin the week of Tuesday, September 4. If you are enrolled in the course and do not receive an email about your section assignment, please contact me.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated in this course. Students caught plagiarizing will receive an F in the course. Please read the handout entitled “Plagiarism and Academic Integrity” (to be distributed with the first paper topics; also available on the web site), and review university policy at http://www.berkeley.edu/catalog/policies/conduct.html.
Website
Current course information (including class handouts, assignments, announcements, any revisions to the schedule, study questions, a glossary, links, and pictures) can be found on the course web site, at http://sophos.berkeley.edu/macfarlane/25a/.
Contact Information
Professor MacFarlane’s office hours are W 12–2 or by appointment. The best way to reach him is by e-mail: . His office is 231 Moses Hall, and his office phone number is 642–3174.