Unit information: Philosophical Texts: Plato in 2010/11

Unit name	Philosophical Texts: Plato
Unit code	PHIL10024
Credit points	10
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Goulder
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Department of Philosophy
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

In 399 BC, Socrates was tried and found guilty for corrupting the youth of Athens. We will trace the drama of Socrates' trial and death through Plato's dialogues 'Euthyphro', 'Apology', and 'Phaedo'. Along the way, we will investigate central themes of Socrates' and Plato's thought, and the relations between them. We will also situate these themes in their broader philosophical context. Questions will include: What is philosophical enquiry? Do the gods love what is pious because it is pious, or does it count as pious only because the gods love it? Is it possible to do wrong knowingly? Is the soul immortal? There will be ten lectures, each including an element of discussion.

Aims:

• To provide students with a historical introduction to Socrates

• To elicit from students an engaged understanding of Platos Euthyphro, Apology, and Phaedo

• To introduce students to some foundational debates in philosophical methodology, ethics and epistemology

• To situate these elements in their broader philosophical context

• To improve students powers of philosophical argument

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students taking this unit will:

• Acquire knowledge of Socrates and Plato and their historical context

• Acquire an engaged understanding of Platos Euthyphro, Apology, and Phaedo

• Acquire a critical understanding of foundational problems in methodology, ethics and epistemology

• Improve their powers of philosophical argument

Teaching Information

x10 weekly lectures, student participation to be encouraged.

Assessment Information

Summative: one 2,500-3,500 word essay. (No exam.)

Reading and References

Required:

• Plato, Five Dialogues trans G Grube.

Additional:

• Kraut (ed), The Cambridge Companion to Plato

• Vlastos, Socrates: Ironist and Moral Philosopher

• Irwin, Platos Ethics

• Reeve, Socrates in the Apology

• Fine (ed), Plato I & II