Preparing for Tues 31 Jan

On Tue 31 Feb we will discuss Descartes' "Meditation I." To be prepared for our discussion, please do the following

Read and Study Carefully:

• "Meditation I," pp. 66-71

Think About:

• What does the thinker set out to do in this first meditation and why?
• How does the thinker come to doubt the evidence delivered by the senses?
• What reasons does the thinker give for doubting mathematical knowledge?
• Why does the thinker suppose that there is an "evil genius" set on deceiving him?

Preparing for Thurs 26 Jan

 On Thurs 26 Jan, we will be discussing some important background material that we need in order to appreciate Descartes' philosophy. Most of what I'll talk about is not in your text; I'll very likely have a presentation and post the slides after class.

A good way to prepare for Thursday's class is to read the dedicatory letter, preface, and synopsis to Meditations.

Bring Exam Booklet & Study Questions Posted

For your Plato mid-term on Tue 24 Jan, please be sure to bring a LARGE examination booklet.

Study questions for the mid-term are now posted on the PolyLearn site for this course.

Preparing for Thurs 19 Jan

Because your mid-term is on Tues 24 Jan, we will do our best to wrap up our discussion of Phaedo tomorrow Thurs 19 Jan.

Read

• Phaedo 78a-107a

Think About

• What can learn about Plato's two-world metaphysics from Socrates' discussion about why the soul does not scatter?

• Explain Simmias' objection in which he compares the soul to a harmony. How does Socrates respond to this objection?

• Explain Cebes' objection in which he compares the soul to a weaver. how does Socrates respond to this objection?

• Now that you've seen all the arguments in Phaedo, what do you think Plato was trying to achieve and do you think he achieved it?

Preparing for Thurs 12 Jan

Tonight we will continue our discussion of Phaedo. We will finish our discussion of Plato's theory of forms and begin looking at some of the arguments for the immortality of the soul.

To prepare for tonight's class, please do the following.

Read

• Phaedo - 70a-78a

Think about

• What is Socrates' first argument for the immortality of the soul (the one that talks about opposites)?
• What does Plato mean when he says that learning is recollection?
• How does Socrates use the view that learning is recollection to argue for the immortality of the soul?
• what is the relationship between these two arguments?

Great class tonight!

Just wanted quickly to thank you all for your excellent participation and focussed attention tonight! It feels like we have a great class.

I sure hope more and more of you will feel comfortable speaking in class.

Well done!

Preparing for Tues 10 Jan

It's been great to hear all of your contributions in class so far. I'm hoping that to start our class on Tuesday, many more of you will be interested in talking a bit about your first impressions of the readings for Tuesday, or your thoughts about Apology.

On Tuesday, we will begin our discussion of Phaedo, which will be an exploration of some key early components of Plato's philosophy.

To prepare for Tuesday's class, please do the following:

Read

• Phaedo, 57a - 69e (pp. 94-107)

Think About

• Why do you think the dialogue begins with an exchange between Phaedo and Echecrates in which Phaedo explicitly reports that Plato was not present during the last few hours of Socrates' life?
• When Simmias and Cebes first ask Socrates why he is facing death so calmly, what does Socrates reply? What do you think of his reply? What does Simmias say about Socrates' reply?
• What do you think Plato means when he says that philosophy is training for dying and death, and how is this related to the activity of purifying our soul?
• According to Plato, what is a form? What are some examples of forms?
• According to Plato, what is wisdom and how does one achieve it?
• What kinds of things should you do, and what kinds of things should you avoid doing, if you want to live the type of philosophical life Plato describes as a training for dying and death?
• How does Plato's conception of wisdom in Phaedo compare to Socrates' conception of wisdom in Apology?
• According to Plato, what role do the emotions play in the quest for wisdom?

Preparing for Thurs 5 Jan

On Thurs 5 Jan, we will discuss Apology. We will focus on what we can learn about Socrates' famous view about the use and value of philosophy.

Read

• Apology - all of it

Think About

• Why is Socrates puzzled by what the oracle at Delphi says?
• How does Socrates set out to solve the Delphic riddle?
• What is Socrates' solution to the Delphic riddle?
• What does Socrates mean when he says that the unexamined life is not worth living and how is this related to Socrates' conception of philosophy?
• When Socrates describes himself as a galdfly, what is he talking about? What does this tell us about the value of philosophy?
• When it is Socrates' turn to propose a penalty, what does he propose? Why?

Welcome!

This blog will contain reading assignments and information to keep you current in the course. You're welcome, and encouraged, to post comments.

All course documents, including a copy of the syllabus and a class schedule, will be posted on the PolyLearn website for this course.