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Susan Sauvé Meyer

What is philosophy? How does it differ from science, religion, and other modes of human discourse? This course traces the origins of philosophy in the Western tradition in the thinkers of Ancient Greece. We begin with the Presocratic natural philosophers who were active in Ionia in the 6th century BCE and are also credited with being the first scientists. Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximines made bold proposals about the ultimate constituents of reality, while Heraclitus insisted that there is an underlying order to the changing world. Parmenides of Elea formulated a powerful objection to all these proposals, while later Greek theorists (such as Anaxagoras and the atomist Democritus) attempted to answer that objection. In fifth-century Athens, Socrates insisted on the importance of the fundamental ethical question—“How shall I live?”—and his pupil, Plato, and Plato’s pupil, Aristotle, developed elaborate philosophical systems to explain the nature of reality, knowledge, and human happiness. After the death of Aristotle, in the Hellenistic period, Epicureans and Stoics developed and transformed that earlier tradition. We will study the major doctrines of all these thinkers. Part I will cover Plato and his predecessors. Part II will cover Aristotle and his successors.

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Syllabus

Aristotle’s Categories
Aristotle’s anti-Platonic metaphysics: the ultimate realities are ordinary objects of our experience, like people and animals. Each of these is a substances, the most fundamental type of being.
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Aristotle's Natural Philosophy
Natural substances have matter and form, and natural processes are goal-directed. Every living thing, plants and animals included, has a soul that moves it.
Aristotle's Ethics
The motion of the universe is eternal and its cause is an eternal unmoved mover, Aristotle’s god. Our goal in life is to achieve happiness, which comes in two varieties: the human happiness we achieve by exercising the virtues of character, and the godlike happiness we achieve when we grasp eternal truths.
Epicureanism
Epicureans return to the atomism of Democritus, and find no purpose in nature. Philosophy is a therapeutic practice that removes fear and anxiety and provides us with the tranquility (ataraxia) of the gods.
Stoicism
A providential god is at work in every detail of the cosmos, where everything happens by fate. Our goal in life is to accommodate ourselves to this divine nature by giving up our concern for (but not our pursuit of) worldly objectives.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on the origins and foundations of Western philosophy, suitable for learners curious about its roots
Taught by highly acclaimed instructors in the field of philosophy
Develops a strong foundation in the history and core concepts of Western philosophy
May be suitable for learners interested in the historical development of philosophical ideas
Covers a wide range of philosophical topics and thinkers, providing a comprehensive overview of ancient Greek philosophy

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Reviews summary

Aristotle and his successors

According to students, Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors is an engaging course that provides a good overview of the topic. The course focuses on Aristotle and his successors, covering their key ideas and contributions to Western thought. The lectures are clear and informative, and the readings are well-chosen. Students appreciate the engaging and interactive nature of the course, but some note that it can be difficult at times. Overall, students find the course to be a valuable and rewarding experience.
The lectures are clear and informative.
"The lectures were clear and concise, and the readings were well-chosen."
"I found the course to be very engaging and informative."
"I would definitely recommend this course to others."
The course content is interesting and engaging.
"I found the course to be very engaging and informative."
"The lectures were clear and concise, and the readings were well-chosen."
"I would definitely recommend this course to others."
Students generally enjoyed the course.
"I found the course to be very informative and engaging."
"The lectures were clear and concise, and the readings were well-chosen."
"I would definitely recommend this course to others."
The course can be challenging at times.
"The course was a bit more challenging than I expected."
"The readings were quite dense and required a lot of time to get through."
"I had to work hard to keep up with the material."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors with these activities:
Read introductory materials on Ancient Greek philosophy
Familiarize yourself with the key concepts and thinkers in Ancient Greek philosophy to prepare for the course.
Browse courses on Ancient Greek Philosophy
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  • Read introductory chapters of a textbook on Ancient Greek philosophy.
  • Watch introductory videos or documentaries on the topic.
Review Plato's Republic
Deepen your understanding of Plato's influential work on political philosophy.
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  • Read the book and take notes on key arguments and concepts.
  • Write a summary of the book's main themes.
Create a timeline of key thinkers and ideas in Ancient Greek philosophy
Visualize the development of philosophical thought in Ancient Greece.
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  • Research and identify key thinkers and their ideas.
  • Create a timeline using a tool or software.
  • Add brief descriptions of each thinker's contributions.
Five other activities
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Practice identifying the main philosophical arguments in texts
Develop critical reading skills essential for understanding philosophical texts.
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  • Read short philosophical texts and identify the main arguments.
  • Discuss your findings with classmates or a mentor.
Follow online tutorials on specific philosophical concepts
Enhance your understanding of challenging philosophical concepts.
Show steps
  • Identify philosophical concepts you need clarification on.
  • Search for online tutorials or videos that explain these concepts.
  • Follow the tutorials and take notes on key insights.
Create a comprehensive study guide for the course
Organize and consolidate your notes and materials for effective exam preparation.
Show steps
  • Collect and review all course materials (lecture notes, readings, etc.).
  • Synthesize and organize key concepts and ideas.
  • Create a structured study guide that outlines the course content.
Lead a discussion group on a specific philosophical topic
Deepen your understanding of a topic while helping others learn.
Show steps
  • Choose a philosophical topic to focus on.
  • Prepare discussion questions and facilitate group conversations.
  • Provide guidance and insights to participants.
Contribute to an open-source project related to philosophy
Get hands-on experience and connect with a community of philosophers.
Show steps
  • Identify open-source projects related to philosophy.
  • Contribute to ongoing discussions or propose new ideas.
  • Collaborate with others to develop and improve philosophical resources.

Career center

Learners who complete Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Professor of Philosophy
As a Professor of Philosophy, you will teach courses on a variety of topics, including ancient philosophy. In order to be successful in this role, you will need a strong understanding of the history of philosophy, as well as the ability to think critically and communicate your ideas effectively. This course would be helpful for you because it would provide you with a deep understanding of ancient Greek philosophy, which is the foundation of Western philosophy.
Philosopher
Philosophers use reason to analyze concepts, arguments, and questions about existence, knowledge, values, mind, and language. Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors will help you to develop the critical thinking, analytical, and logical reasoning skills you need to write, research, and present ideas in the realm of philosophy
Theologian
Theology is the study of the nature of God and religious belief. This course can help you develop the critical thinking skills you need to analyze religious texts and traditions, and to understand the different ways that people have thought about God and the world.
Historian
Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in the history of Western philosophy, which can be helpful for understanding the development of historical events and ideas.
Lawyer
Lawyers advise and represent clients in legal matters, and they must have a strong understanding of the legal system and the ability to think critically and communicate effectively. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in ancient Greek philosophy, which is the foundation of Western law.
Museum curator
Museum curators plan and oversee the care, preservation, and display of museum collections. They conduct research, write labels, and give lectures about the objects in their collections. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in ancient Greek history and art, which would be beneficial for understanding the objects in a museum collection.
Librarian
Librarians help people find and access information. They may work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in the history of Western thought, which would be beneficial for understanding the different types of information resources available in a library.
Teacher
Teachers develop, plan, and implement curriculum, lesson plans, and educational programs for student audiences within areas of expertise. They must have a strong understanding of the subject matter they are teaching, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with students. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in the history of Western philosophy, which would be beneficial for teaching a variety of subjects, including history, literature, and social studies.
Journalist
Journalists gather, analyze, and report on news and current events. They must have a strong understanding of current events, as well as the ability to write clearly and concisely. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in the history of Western thought, which would be beneficial for understanding the historical context of current events.
Politician
Politicians develop, implement, and oversee public policy. They must have a strong understanding of the political process, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with constituents. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in the history of Western political thought, which would be beneficial for understanding the development of public policy.
Business Analyst
Business analysts gather, analyze, and interpret data to help businesses make better decisions. They must have a strong understanding of business principles, as well as the ability to think critically and solve problems. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in the history of Western thought, which would be beneficial for understanding the development of business principles.
Computer Programmer
Computer programmers design, develop, and test software applications. They must have a strong understanding of computer science principles, as well as the ability to think logically and solve problems. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in the history of Western thought, which would be beneficial for understanding the development of computer science.
Graphic designer
Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in the history of Western art and design, which would be beneficial for understanding the development of graphic design.
Web Developer
Web developers design and develop websites. They must have a strong understanding of web development technologies, as well as the ability to think creatively and solve problems. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in the history of Western thought, which would be beneficial for understanding the development of web development technologies.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers supervise and motivate sales teams, and they are responsible for achieving sales goals. They must have a strong understanding of sales techniques, as well as the ability to lead and motivate others. This course may be useful for you because it would provide you with a foundation in the history of Western thought, which would be beneficial for understanding the development of sales techniques.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Ancient Philosophy: Aristotle and His Successors.
Comprehensive history of ancient philosophy, providing a detailed overview of the major thinkers and schools of thought in the Western tradition. It valuable resource for students looking to gain a deeper understanding of the historical context of ancient philosophy.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Aristotle's philosophy, covering his major works and ideas. It valuable resource for students looking to gain a deeper understanding of Aristotle's thought.
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Provides a comprehensive overview of ancient philosophy, covering all the major thinkers and schools of thought. It valuable resource for students looking to gain a deeper understanding of ancient Greek philosophy.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the philosophy of Socrates and Plato. It valuable resource for students looking to gain a deeper understanding of the origins of Western philosophy.
Translation of Aristotle's Rhetoric, with an introduction and commentary by George A. Kennedy. It valuable resource for students looking to read Aristotle's original work on rhetoric.
Translation of Aristotle's Poetics, with an introduction and commentary by Stephen Halliwell. It valuable resource for students looking to read Aristotle's original work on literary theory.
Collection of fragments from the Presocratic philosophers. It valuable resource for students looking to read the original writings of the early Greek philosophers.
Translation of Aristotle's Physics, with an introduction and commentary by Robin Waterfield. It valuable resource for students looking to read Aristotle's original work on natural philosophy.
Translation of Aristotle's Metaphysics, with an introduction and commentary by W.D. Ross. It valuable resource for students looking to read Aristotle's original work.
Provides a clear and concise overview of ancient Greek philosophy, from the Presocratics to the Hellenistic period. It valuable resource for students looking to gain a general understanding of the major thinkers and ideas in ancient Greek philosophy.

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