PHILOSOPHY 1501: INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

SHANGHAI UNIVERSITY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMICS
上海财经大学
PROFESSOR COLLIER
SUMMER 2015

Course Description: How should we live? What is the ultimate nature of reality? How much can we know? In this course, we will examine classic works in philosophy that address these big questions. Authors include: Plato, Aristotle, Epictetus, Lucretius, and Sextus Empiricus. We will also focus on critical thinking, reading, and speaking skills.

Conditions for Receiving Test Credit: Successful completion of any homework assignments, regular attendance, and adequate participation in class discussions. Students must also pass the exam.

CLASS SCHEDULE

1. Introduction

2. Plato (I): Euthyphro 2a-10d

3. Plato (II): Crito

4. Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics Book I: 1-5, 7-8

5. Epictetus: Discourses Chapters 6, 16

6. Lucretius (I): On the Nature of Things Book I: 616-628, 329-345, 370-394; Book V: 195-235; Book II: 1052-1068

7. Lucretius (II): On the Nature of Things Book II: 252-294; Book III: 162-177

8. Lucretius (III): On the Nature of Things Book III: 830-862, 972-978

9. Sextus Empiricus:"First Mode" and "Outlines of Pyrhhonism"

10. Exam