All readings are in Ancient Greek Philosophy, ed. Cohen, Curd, and Reeve
Weds. Jan. 17
Introduction (1-7); The Milesians (8-14) (In-class discussion)
Mon. Jan. 22
Xenophanes (21-23); Heraclitus (24-33)
Summary Assignment due (one page): Choose two of Heraclitus' fragments and reflect on them. What do they mean? Choose two that seem to have the same theme, or else two that seem to contradict one another.
Weds. Jan. 24
The Pythagoreans (15-20); Parmenides (36-41); Zeno (57-61)
Check out Zeno's Coffeehouse
Mon. Jan. 29
The Pluralists (42-56); The Atomists (62-69)
Summary Assignment due (one page): Draw a pictorial rendering of the cosmos as seen by Anaxagoras, Empedocles, or the atomists. Include as much information as possible. (Don't worry, no one will be graded on the basis of artistic abilities!)
Wed. Jan. 31
Begin Unit II, Plato
Mon. Feb. 5
Take-Home Due on Unit I. Late Papers will be marked down.
Take-Home Essay Topic (3-5 pages)
How are presocratic philosophical views of the soul related to their views of the cosmos? What constraints are imposed by their desire to link their views of soul and cosmos together (in other words, would they have developed better theories of the soul if they had considered the issue independently of their consideration of the nature of the cosmos? )? Explain your views on this issue in general, and discuss at least three different views in particular, highlighting the theory of soul you find the most plausible.
