PHIL 4405 Greek Philosophy
This course is organized around the central philosophical questions asked and answered, in various ways, by philosophers in the ancient Greek-speaking world. We will consider the pre-Socratics, Plato, Aristotle, and, more briefly, some Hellenistic authors such as Plutarch, Epictetus, and Plotinus. Topics include theories of material bodies and of change; whether anything immaterial or immutable exists, and if so whether it is single or multiple and its relation to this changing world; the human soul; and the question of the criterion of truth, and the process by which humans may come to know; the question of the criterion of ethics.
Course overview
- Department
- Philosophy
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Periodically in the Fall, Periodically in the Spring
Catalog details
- Prerequisites
- Must have completed Philosophy core.
Requirements fulfilled
- Philosophy: Free Philosophy electives (five courses, 15 credits); up to two approved cognate courses in other departments may also count (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Philosophy: History of Philosophy distribution (one course) (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
- Ancient Greek: III. One elective: either Greek (intermediate or above) or a course on Greek civilization (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 3.84 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 3.88 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 3
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | Sarah Byers | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 1–3 hrs/week | 20 of 25 |
| Fall 2023 | Sarah Byers | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 of 23 |
| Fall 2021 | Sarah Byers | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4–6 hrs/week | 20 of 23 |