ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy 3040.01/Classics 3500.01
Fall 2004
Dr. Kristen Brown
Time: M/W 2:45
Place: CC 22
Office Hours: to be announced
Email: brownkm@millsaps.edu
Office Phone: 974-1323; Home Phone: 353-3704
DESCRIPTION AND COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Are you interested in learning more about the idea of "soul", of "erotic
love" and of "knowledge"? Would you like to compare your ideas
about these, to those of Plato (428-348 B.C.E.)-probably the most famous philosopher
in the West? If so, this intermediate-level philosophy course is the one for
you. In it we will inquire into our own lives by engaging three dialogues of
Plato: The Republic, Phaedrus, and one additional dialogue that we will decide
upon together. The first of the dialogues explores the notions of the ideal
city, the ideal human "soul" and of ideal ideas (or "knowledge").
These, we will find, are related to each other in fascinating ways, according
to Plato. Phaedrus plumbs the sometimes heady and rational, other times mad
and crazed, experiences associated with the concept of erotic love.
As we examine each of the texts' specific topics, we will return again and again
to an umbrella theme: the rise of literacy. Coinciding with Plato's lifetime
was a watershed historical event in the West: the spread of phonetic writing
(literacy). By phonetic writing, I mean writing whose symbols are images of
sounds, not of objects they represent--as in the case of pictographs. Just how
this new technology-yes, David Abram would say, writing is a "technology"-changes
human culture, perception and self-understanding is an enormously interesting
question. That literacy sets humans on a course that is so strongly reflected
in today's industrialized nations is one of David Abram's arguments in The Spell
of the Sensuous. As we look back to the ways of living reflected in the lives
our human predecessors, prior to literacy, and then, to their lives given the
rise of literacy-what sort of shifts occur? What benefits? What costs? In what
ways are these magnified in today's world, with its many forms of modern technology?
As we ask these questions, of fundamental concern will be your experience. What
ways of being make you most comfortable?-or least comfortable? Where are you
when you feel most yourself?-or least yourself? What sort of person do you hope
to become, and how do your aspirations relate to the relative costs and benefits
of a technologically oriented human life? Or alternately, in what ways do your
hopes depend on what Abram calls "a more-than-human" oriented life-attention
toward the many sensory details of your natural environment-its landscape and
local climate developments, vegetation, winding rivers, insect population and
animal life? The question of human orientation toward technology versus nature,
then, will provide a continuous frame for the course. Through it, students will
hone their own writing and analytical skills while clarifying their preferred
modes of being, developing a critique of Plato's dialogues, and apprehending
the historical event of literacy.
TEXTS TO PURCHASE:
Plato: The Republic Books I-V, trans., Paul Shorey
Plato: The Republic Books VI-X, trans., Paul Shorey
Plato: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Phaedrus, trans., Harold North Fowler
The Spell of the Sensuous, David Abram
Plus one additional text to be decided upon together
EVALUATION:
Short Paper, 2 pages Part of Participation
Paper 1, 6-8 pages
w/ Rewrite Option (best grade counts) 25%
Paper 2, 6-10 pages
w/ Rewrite Option (averaging grades) 25%
Final Take-Home Paper 6-10 pages 25%
Participation, Short Paper, Field Trip 25%
ATTENDANCE: you are permitted TWO unexcused absences. For every additional unexcused absence your final exam grade will be lowered one-third of a grade. A TOTAL OF FIVE ABSENCES may cause you to FAIL (receive a grade "F" for) the course.
PARTICIPATION: I will note those who come to class prepared having read and who stimulate or contribute fruitfully to discussion. Such habits are good and will pay off in your participation grade in the end!
LATE PAPERS: Unexcused late papers may be docked one full grade for each day they are late. If you foresee conflicts in your schedule, please tell me well ahead of time and I will be happy to grant you an extension. (Ehhh, uhhhhh: one or two days before paper is due is not well ahead of time!)
STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY: if any one of you has special needs because of a learning or other disability, please see me during the first or second week of the semester either after class or in my office hours to discuss appropriate accommodations.
HONOR CODE: Millsaps College is an academic community dedicated to the pursuit
of scholarly inquiry and intellectual growth. The foundation of this community
is a spirit of personal honesty and mutual trust. Through their Honor Code,
the students of Millsaps College affirm their adherence to these basic ethical
principles.
An Honor Code is not simply a set of rules and procedures governing students'
academic conduct. It is an opportunity to put personal responsibility and integrity
into action. When students agree to abide by an Honor Code, they liberate themselves
to pursue their academic goals in an atmosphere of mutual confidence and respect.
The success of the Code depends on the support of each member of the community.
Students and faculty alike commit themselves in their work to the principles
of academic honesty. When they become aware of infractions, both students and
faculty are obligated to report them to the Honor Council, which is responsible
for enforcement.
The pledge signed by all students upon entering the College is as follows:
As a Millsaps College student, I hereby affirm that I understand the Honor Code
and am aware of its implications and of my responsibility to the Code. In the
interests of expanding the atmosphere of respect and trust in the College, I
promise to uphold the Honor Code and I will not tolerate dishonest behavior
in myself or in others.
Each examination, quiz, or other assignment that is to be graded will carry
the written pledge: "I hereby certify that I have neither given nor received
unauthorized aid on this assignment. (Signature)" The abbreviation "Pledged"
followed by the student's signature has the same meaning and may be acceptable
on assignments other than final examinations.
It is the responsibility of students and faculty to report offenses to the Honor
Code Council in the form of a written report. This account must be signed, the
accusation explained in as much detail as possible, and submitted to the Dean
of the College.
DAILY SCHEDULE (tentative)
T Aug. 27 Introduction; some background on Republic
W Aug. 28 Republic Books I and II, pp 3-199 (in Plato Vol. V)
M Sept. 2 continue reading and reflecting on Republic Books I and II, pp 3-199
W Sept. 4 Republic Book III, pp 201-313; pay special attention to lines 392c-398b
M Sept. 9 Republic Book IV, pp 315-423
W Sept. 11 Republic Books V and VI, pp 425-535; 3-117 (in Plato Vol. VI)
M Sept. 16 Synthesis Day
W Sept. 18 Republic Book VII, pp 119-233
M Sept. 23 Republic Books VIII and IX, pp 235-417
ASSIGN Paper #1
W Sept. 25 Republic Book X, pp 419-52; pay close attention to discussion of poetry and imitation.
M Sept. 30 Synthesis Day
W Oct. 2 Phaedrus read through the entire text
Homework: 1) name three themes of the text 2) identify one theme in the text
that piques your interest personally. Write a 1-2 page typed double-spaced exploration
of why the theme relates to your daily life.
M Oct. 7 Phaedrus re-read pp 413-457
T Oct. 8 DUE: Paper #1 (under my door by 12:00 noon); (place it under my office door-CC20--by 12:00 noon); if you want me to look at an early draft, have it under my door at least three week days before due date.
W Oct. 9 Phaedrus pp 459-505
M Oct. 14 Phaedrus 507-561
W Oct.16 continue reading and reflecting on Phaedrus pp 507-561
M Oct. 21 FALL BREAK
W Oct. 23 Phaedrus pp 561-579
ASSIGN Paper #2
M Oct. 28 Synthesis Day
W Oct. 30 Continue reading and thinking about Phaedrus pp 561-579
M Nov. 4 Synthesis Day
W Nov. 6 Gorgias/Symposium : read the entire dialogue
Homework: 1) name three themes of the dialogue 2) identify one theme in the
text that interests you personally. Why does it interest you? Write a 1-2 page
typed double-spaced explanation that answers the latter.
M Nov. 11 Gorgias/Symposium re-read first quarter of text
T Nov. 12 DUE: Paper #2 (under my door by 12:00 noon).
W Nov. 13 Gorgias/Symposium re-read second quarter of text
M Nov. 18 Gorgias/Symposium re-read third quarter of text
W Nov. 20 Gorgias/Symposium re-read last quarter of text
M Nov. 25 Synthesis Day
W Nov. 27 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY BEGINS AT NOON TODAY
M Dec. 2 Synthesis Day
Plan informal presentations of final take-home papers for either during the
scheduled final-exam time (Monday, December 9, 9:00-11:00 am) or else dinnertime-ish
same day?
ASSIGN FINAL-TAKE HOME PAPER
W Dec. 4 Discuss Final Take-Home Paper; Concluding Remarks
M Dec. 9 Due: Final Paper and informal presentations of Final Papers. These are due either during the designated final-exam time (9:00-11:00 am) or else dinnertime the same day, depending upon what the class decided last week.