PHIL 5528 Skepticism, Stoicism, and Neo-Platonism
Ancient philosophy is the period following Aristotle and stretching into the third century A.D., Hellenistic and Roman Philosophy. A number of philosophical schools flourished: Stoicism, Epicureanism, Skepticism, Middle-Platonism, Neo-Platonism. Some had sophisticated answers to questions in epistemology, ethics, and metaphysics: Does the human mind use mental language? Are we responsible for our thoughts? Is pleasure the goal of life? What kinds of emotions does the wise person have? Can Plato's account of the Forms be enriched by Aristotle's account of God? What is the metaphysical status of Socrates' "daimon"? The primary emphases of the course are Stoicism and the Platonisms.
Course overview
- Department
- Philosophy
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Both
- Offered
- Every 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)
- Philosophy: Knowledge and Reality 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
- 4.02 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 3.82 / 5 · Very Good
- Terms evaluated
- 2
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2024 | Sarah Byers | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4–6 hrs/week | 12 of 17 |
| Spring 2023 | Sarah Byers | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.7 | 4–6 hrs/week | 13 of 15 |