Description
This module deals with some important metaphysical, epistemological and ethical questions by looking to philosophers from the ancient Greek tradition. Questions we will address include:
- What is philosophy and how should we approach doing it?
- What principles should we adhere to when dealing with philosophical texts?
- What characteristics are we entitled to attribute to a deity?
- Can you step into the same river twice?
- Is it impossible to talk or think about something if it doesn’t exist?
- Can we ever investigate anything? If so, how do we go about it?
- What is the difference between knowledge and true belief?
- To what extent are we responsible for our actions?
The schedule is as follows:
Week 1: The Milesians (Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes)
Week 2: Xenophanes on the Divine and Knowledge
Week 3: Heraclitus and Parmenides on Opposition
Week 4: Zeno on Motion
Week 5: Plato’s Meno I: Definition
Week 6: Plato’s Meno II: Meno’s Paradox
Week 7: Plato’s Meno III: Knowledge and Belief
Week 8: Aristotle I: The Function Argument (in the Nicomachean Ethics)
Week 9: Aristotle II: Choice, Praise and Blame (in the Nicomachean Ethics)
Week 10: Aristotle III: Fatalism (in De Interpretatione)
Philosophy Area C
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
Ìý