A survey of Plato's works, including the "early," "middle," and parts of the "late" dialogues. Emphasis will be laid on reading the dialogues themselves.

We will approach Plato as though he developed from being a student of Socrates (the "early" Platonic dialogues) to producing a positive philosophy of his own (the "middle" and "late" dialogues). The early phase is primarily ethical, while the middle and later phases branch out into epistemology and metaphysical questions, among others. That developmental picture will, however, be critically examined. We cannot read all of Plato's works in one semester: an ambitious selection of dialogues will be read in an attempt to survey Plato's thought, with the "early" and "middle" period receiving most attention.

Prerequisite: A course in Philosophy or a Classics course (Greek language or a course having to do with Greek culture).

Instructor: Jacques Bailly

Cross-listed with Philosophy 108

Last updated: 11 December 2000 Send Comments to: Barbara Rodgers, bsaylor@zoo.uvm.edu Copyright © 2000 UVM Classics Department All Rights Reserved.