Philosophy 2316: History of Philosophy I

Fall 2005 Steve Hiltz shiltz@mail.smu.edu

214-696-6494 (home) 214-883-5712 (office)

Office Hours: T Th 1:50-2:45, JO 5.712 (or by

appointment)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course will survey the writings of major philosophers

prior to the Renaissance, focusing primarily on ancient
Greece, where Western Philosophy originated in the 6th
Century B.C.E. We will briefly examine the speculations of
the Presocratic thinkers from Thales through the Sophists,
and the elenchtic practice of Socrates, before delving
more extensively into the two giants of the philosophical
tradition, Plato and Aristotle. Then, to the extent time
permits, we will sample some Medieval Philosophy, short
selections from Augustine, Avincenna, Averroës and William
of Ockham.

REQUIRED TEXT:

Readings in Ancient Philosophy: From Thales to Aristotle,

Cohen, Curd, and Reeves, eds.

The Medieval selections will eventually be distributed in

class or made available as a course packet.
Recommended Reading: A History of Philosophy, Bertrand
Russell. (This text will also be recommended reading for
History of Philosophy II next term.)

OUTLINE OF TOPICS:

I. Presocratics
A. The Milesian Picture pp. 1-23 (Russell, pp.
14-37)
1. Thales
2. Anaximander
3. Anaximenes
4. Pythagoras
5. Xenophanes
B. Challenges to the picture pp. 24-42, 59-71
(Russell, 38-52, 64-73)
1. Heraclitus
2.Parmenides
3. Zeno
4. Democritus
C. Sophists pp. 80-88 (Russell,
pp. 73-81)
II. Socrates (Russell, pp. 82-93)
A. Apology pp. 112-130
B. Euthyphro pp. 97-111
C. Gorgias pp. 169-190

Test 1

III. Plato (Russell, pp. 94-143)

A. Meno pp. 191-216
B. Phaedo pp. 217-247
 C. Symposium pp. 252-262
D. Republic Bks. VI & VII pp. 409-460
E. Parmenides pp. 536-545
IV. Aristotle pp. 577-586 (Russell, 159-
184)
A. Categories pp. 588-594
B. De Interpretatione pp. 595-602
C. Physics Bks. II, III & VIII pp. 634-658
D. Metaphysics pp. 690-732
E. De Anima Bk. II pp. 745-757

Test 2

F. Nichomachean Ethics Bks. I & II pp. 764-784

V. Medieval Philosophy
A. Augustine (Russell, pp. 362-366)
B. Avicenna (Russell, pp. 419-428)
C. Averroes
D. William of Ockham (Russell, pp. 463-475)

GRADING AND REQUIREMENTS:

There will be three in-class tests, consisting of True-

False, Multiple-Choice, and Short-Answer/Identification
questions on the readings and lectures. A rough indication
of the timing and the material covered on each of these
tests is given in the Outline below (though this is subject
to revision). The course will also include two writing
assignments, one where students choose from a selection of
essay questions, and another consisting of a paper on a
topic of the student’s choice. Assignment sheets
elaborating on these will be distributed at the appropriate
times.

ATTENDANCE:

Regular (if not perfect) attendance and participation in

class is strongly recommended. If you do not show up for
class — or if you merely show up, unprepared — you cannot
expect to learn much. Past experience has taught me to
back up this advice with a sanction. Consequently, if you
accumulate four unexcused absences you will have five
points deducted from your next test. Classes start
promptly at 12:30 and are not over until 1:45.

INCOMPLETES:

You cannot get credit for this course without completing

all of the requirements. Moreover, getting a grade of
Incomplete is not automatic. Unless you have applied for
and received permission to take an Incomplete before the
last day of the course, you will receive an F for the
course if there are still assignments outstanding. The
requisite form is available in the Arts and Humanities
office.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

Cheating or plagiarism of any sort will not be tolerated.

Every piece of work you turn in must be entirely your own.
Writing a paper means both expressing your own thoughts and
expressing them in your own words. You may not copy
unquoted passages from our texts, from any other texts, or
from the internet, even if the passages are brief. No one
else may write a paper for you, whether in whole or in
part. Any cheating or plagiarism on any assignment will
automatically result in the student receiving an F for the
course. In addition to this grade penalty, the case may be
presented to the Office of the Dean of Students, in which
case the student may be subject to further disciplinary
action, such as suspension or dismissal from the
university.