Plato and Aristotle: Foundations of Western Philosophy
( 30 Modules )
Module #1 Introduction to Ancient Greek Philosophy Overview of the historical and cultural context of ancient Greece, and the significance of Plato and Aristotle in the development of Western philosophy.
Module #2 Life and Works of Plato Biography of Plato, his inheritance of Socratic thought, and an overview of his written works, including the Apology, Symposium, and Republic.
Module #3 The Theory of Forms Platos metaphysical theory of Forms, including the nature of reality, the relationship between the Forms and the physical world, and the role of the Forms in knowledge and understanding.
Module #4 The Allegory of the Cave In-depth analysis of Platos Allegory of the Cave, including its significance in understanding Platos views on knowledge, reality, and the human condition.
Module #5 The Tripartite Soul Examination of Platos theory of the tripartite soul, including the rational, spirited, and appetitive aspects, and their role in human behavior and ethics.
Module #6 The Ideal State Analysis of Platos vision of the ideal state, including the role of philosopher-kings, the nature of justice, and the relationship between the individual and the state.
Module #7 The Influence of Socrates on Plato Exploration of the significance of Socrates philosophy on Platos thought, including the method of questioning, the concept of ignorance, and the pursuit of wisdom.
Module #8 Life and Works of Aristotle Biography of Aristotle, his student years with Plato, and an overview of his written works, including the Categories, Physics, and Nicomachean Ethics.
Module #9 The Four Causes Examination of Aristotles concept of the four causes (material, formal, efficient, and final), including their role in understanding substance, potentiality, and actuality.
Module #10 Hylomorphism and the Concept of Substance Analysis of Aristotles hylomorphic view of reality, including the relationship between matter and form, and the nature of substance and potentiality.
Module #11 The Concept of Telos Exploration of Aristotles concept of telos, including its role in understanding purpose, function, and the nature of living things.
Module #12 The Nicomachean Ethics In-depth analysis of Aristotles Nicomachean Ethics, including the concept of eudaimonia, the virtues, and the role of reason in human flourishing.
Module #13 Aristotles Politics Examination of Aristotles vision of the ideal state, including the nature of citizenship, the role of the mixed constitution, and the relationship between the individual and the state.
Module #14 The Comparison of Plato and Aristotle Comparison and contrast of Plato and Aristotles views on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and politics, highlighting their agreements and disagreements.
Module #15 The Legacy of Plato and Aristotle Exploration of the impact of Plato and Aristotle on Western philosophy, including their influence on later philosophers, the development of Christian theology, and the shaping of modern thought.
Module #16 The Relevance of Plato and Aristotle Today Discussion of the continued relevance of Plato and Aristotles ideas in contemporary philosophy, politics, and ethics, including their insights into human nature, morality, and the good life.
Module #17 Critique and Challenges to Plato and Aristotle Analysis of the critiques and challenges to Plato and Aristotles ideas, including feminist, critical, and postmodern perspectives, and the ongoing debates in contemporary philosophy.
Module #18 Plato and Aristotle in Modern Thought Examination of the influence of Plato and Aristotle on modern thinkers, including the Enlightenment, Romanticism, and Existentialism, and their continued relevance in contemporary debates.
Module #19 Aristotles Science Exploration of Aristotles scientific works, including his views on biology, physics, and astronomy, and their significance in the development of Western science.
Module #20 Platos Literary Style Analysis of Platos literary style, including his use of dialogue, myth, and allegory, and their role in conveying philosophical ideas.
Module #21 Aristotles Concept of Friendship In-depth analysis of Aristotles concept of friendship, including its role in human flourishing, the nature of virtuous relationships, and the significance of friendship in ethics.
Module #22 Platos View of Education Examination of Platos views on education, including the role of the state, the importance of mathematics, and the ideal curriculum for the philosopher-king.
Module #23 Aristotles Rhetoric Analysis of Aristotles Rhetoric, including his views on persuasion, argumentation, and the role of rhetoric in human communication.
Module #24 The Platonic Academy Exploration of the Platonic Academy, including its structure, curriculum, and influence on Western philosophy, and the significance of the Academy in the development of philosophy.
Module #25 Aristotles Lyceum Examination of Aristotles Lyceum, including its structure, curriculum, and influence on Western philosophy, and the significance of the Lyceum in the development of science and philosophy.
Module #26 The Rediscovery of Plato and Aristotle Discussion of the Renaissance and Enlightenment rediscovery of Plato and Aristotle, including the role of humanism, the rise of classical learning, and the impact on Western culture.
Module #27 The Influence of Plato and Aristotle on Christianity Exploration of the influence of Plato and Aristotle on Christian theology, including the role of Neoplatonism, the development of Christian philosophy, and the shaping of Western theology.
Module #28 The Critique of Plato and Aristotle by Modern Thinkers Analysis of the critiques of Plato and Aristotle by modern thinkers, including their views on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and politics, and the ongoing debates in contemporary philosophy.
Module #29 The Relevance of Plato and Aristotle in Contemporary Debates Discussion of the relevance of Plato and Aristotles ideas in contemporary debates, including their insights into human nature, morality, and the good life, and their continued influence on Western philosophy.
Module #30 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Plato and Aristotle: Foundations of Western Philosophy career
