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Back to Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors by University of Pennsylvania

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About the Course

What is philosophy? How does it differ from science, religion, and other modes of human discourse? This course traces the origins of philosophy in the Western tradition in the thinkers of Ancient Greece. We begin with the Presocratic natural philosophers who were active in Ionia in the 6th century BCE and are also credited with being the first scientists. Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximines made bold proposals about the ultimate constituents of reality, while Heraclitus insisted that there is an underlying order to the changing world. Parmenides of Elea formulated a powerful objection to all these proposals, while later Greek theorists (such as Anaxagoras and the atomist Democritus) attempted to answer that objection. In fifth-century Athens, Socrates insisted on the importance of the fundamental ethical question—“How shall I live?”—and his pupil, Plato, and Plato’s pupil, Aristotle, developed elaborate philosophical systems to explain the nature of reality, knowledge, and human happiness. After the death of Aristotle, in the Hellenistic period, Epicureans and Stoics developed and transformed that earlier tradition. We will study the major doctrines of all these thinkers. Part I will cover Plato and his predecessors. Part II will cover Aristotle and his successors....

Top reviews

AO

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Although I do not have the time (or inclination, I guess) to write answers to the provocative questions, I found the lectures and the reading material fascinating. Thank you!

LG

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Excellent course, Pr. Sauvé-Meyer keeps the material very engaging, and makes it very clear and easily accessible. Knowing how difficult the original texts are sometimes, this is very valuable.

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251 - 275 of 445 Reviews for Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors

By Vivek C S

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Mar 29, 2016

Very well delivered and an Enriching learning experience...

By Warren D W

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Oct 9, 2021

Enlightening to say the least. Challenging but rewarding!

By Alexandru T

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Apr 21, 2020

Wonderful introduction to the world of ancient philosophy!

By Natalia G

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Mar 21, 2019

Clear course to get introduced into ancient philosophers.

By Matias J

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Apr 25, 2020

An amazing trip throughout the ancient greek philosophy.

By Rene M

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Sep 30, 2022

Great lectures! This course gave me great knowledge!!!

By Warley R

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Oct 30, 2016

Great course, excellent curriculum and teaching method.

By Najib A A A A

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Aug 12, 2020

This course is very important to understand the living

By CHANTE C C

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Jun 9, 2020

Very wholesome experience studying Ancient Philosophy!

By Jary v B

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Mar 7, 2016

Excellent teacher. Great introduction into philosophy.

By Steffen W

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May 29, 2020

fantastic course, very well explained and structured!

By Juvenal N

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Apr 23, 2020

Excellent course and tutor! Highly recommended! AAA++

By Jacob

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Oct 24, 2019

Very well spoken outline of Greek philosophy. Thanks.

By Priya B

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Aug 2, 2020

Excellent content and very well explained/delivered.

By Andrew F

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Jun 29, 2020

Wonderful explication of Plato and his predecessors.

By Callie G

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May 4, 2020

Well-articulated lectures, and good reading material

By Vilmos F

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Apr 30, 2020

It made things very easy to understand and exciting.

By Achyuth N

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Aug 26, 2020

It certainly increased my curiosity in this matter.

By Paul A A

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Sep 15, 2019

Well done. A little superficial, but a great start.

By Gustavo A G A

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May 15, 2017

Buena maestra, gran contenido y muy bien explicado.

By Gladson S

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Jan 2, 2024

Curso maravilhoso. Eu tive um encontro com Platão!

By George J B

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May 15, 2016

Excellent delivery of rather interesting material!

By Itamar F

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Feb 13, 2021

Excellent! Loved the lectures by professor Susan.

By Valentina P M

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May 25, 2020

Pretty good explanations and methods of teaching.

By Julio C R C

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Aug 25, 2020

Me parece excelente los contenidos de este curso