Classical Greek Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle
The flowering of Athenian philosophy, from Socratic ethics and Plato's Theory of Forms to Aristotle's systematic science of logic, nature, and human flourishing.
60-Second Review
Express reviewA condensed, point-by-point summary of the module, for reviewing right before a test or exam.
- Historical Context: From Nature to Ethics. Classical Athens, the shift from nature-philosophy to ethics, and the rise of the Sophists.
- Socrates: Method, Irony, and Trial. Socrates' life, his elenctic method, the Socratic paradoxes, and his trial and death in 399 BCE.
- The Phaedo and the Foundations of Plato's Academy. The Phaedo's arguments for immortality, Plato's Academy, and the early search-for-definition dialogues.
- The Theory of Forms and the Ascent to Knowledge. Plato's Theory of Forms, the Cave, the Divided Line, and the Analogy of the Sun.
- The Republic: Soul, City, and Justice. Recollection, the tripartite soul, justice, the ideal city, and Plato's critique of democracy and art.
- Plato's Later Dialogues: Metaphysics, Cosmology, and Politics. Knowledge versus opinion, the Third Man argument, the Timaeus, the Symposium, and late political theory.
- Aristotle's Logic and Metaphysics. Aristotle's break from Plato, his logic and syllogism, and his theory of substance, form, and causation.
- Aristotle's Ethics, Politics, Poetics, and Legacy. Eudaimonia, the mean, friendship, the Politics, tragedy and catharsis, and Aristotle's later influence.
This module continues after "Presocratic and Early Greek Philosophy" in the syllabus. If you haven't reviewed it yet, it may help set the context.
Key points
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Optional mini-games
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Further reading
Bibliography and cited sources used to create this module.
- Vlastos, G. (1991). Socrates: Ironist and Moral Philosopher. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Guthrie, W. K. C. (1969-1981). A History of Greek Philosophy, Vols. III-VI. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Annas, J. (1981). An Introduction to Plato's Republic. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Barnes, J. (2000). Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Barnes, J. (ed.) (1995). The Cambridge Companion to Aristotle. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.