RLS022 Classical Greek Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Mgr. Viktor Zavřel (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Mgr. Viktor Zavřel
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Erlebachová
Supplier department: Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Mon 10:00–11:40 B2.42, except Mon 21. 4. to Sun 27. 4.
Prerequisites
( RLS021 Presocratics and Sophists || KR021 Presocratics and Sophists ) && KR022 Classical Greek Philosophy
The completion of the course KR021 The Beginnings of Greek Philosohy: Presocratics and Sophists is a plus, but by no means a necessary requirement for enrollment.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 60 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/60, only registered: 0/60, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/60
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 22 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course is focused on the Greek philosophy of the Classical period. Lectures are complemented with readings and discussions of the primary texts.
Following the successful completion of the course, studnents will have obtained an orientation in the works of Plato and Aristotle, foundational figures of the European thought. Special attention will be devoted to Socrates and minor Socratics.
Reading of the primary literature may also serve as an introduction to the fundamental fields of systematic philosophy (ontology, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy).
Learning outcomes
Following the successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- provide an overview of Socrates' life and philosophy;
- present various solutions to the so-called "Socratic question";
- summarize the formative characteristics of Plato's philosophy from the early dialogues to the late period;
- identify main tenets of Aristotle's works, especially with regard to his metaphysics, politics and ethics;
- describe and evaluate the importance of the classical period of Greek philosophy for the subsequent development of Western thought.
Syllabus
  • 1. General introduction to Greek philosophy of the classical period.
  • 2. The problem of the "historical Socrates", Socrates in works of Aristophanes and Xenophon
  • 3. Plato's conception of Socrates, Socrates' influence on Greek philosophy
  • 4. The Socratic method and Plato's early dialogues. (Euthyphro)
  • 5. Plato's Theory of Ideas - Introduction (VII Letter, Phaedrus)
  • 6. What is an idea? How to investigate idea? (Symposium, Philebus, Republic - V-VII)
  • 7. Critique of the theory of ideas; Plato's political philosophy - introduction (Politicus)
  • 8. Plato's Political Philosophy - completion (Laws)
  • 9. Aristotle - life and times; systematic philosophy and logic (Categories)
  • 10. Aristotle's Metaphysics (Metaphysics - VII-IX)
  • 11.-12. Virtue Ethics. (Eudemian Ethics, Nicomachean Ethics
  • 13. Aristotle's political philosophy. (Politics)
Literature
    required literature
  • ARISTOTELES, 384-322 př.Kr. Politika [Aristoteles] (Přít.) : Poetika ; Rétorika ; Politika [Aristoteles, 1980]. info
  • PLATÓN. Slavnost. Edited by Viktor Zavřel. Vydání první. Praha: Dybbuk, 2023, 134 stran. ISBN 9788076900431. info
  • ZAVŘEL, Viktor and Jan BRÁZDIL. Etika Eudémova (Eudemian Ethics). Praha: dybbuk, 2020, 166 pp. STOAE, sv. 1. ISBN 978-80-7438-233-8. info
  • ARISTOTELÉS. Metafyzika A. Translated by Filip Karfík. [Brno]: [Masarykova univerzita. Středisko pro pomoc studentů se specifickými nároky], 2016, 1 online. URL info
  • PLATÓN. Euthyfrón ; Obrana Sókrata ; Kritón ; Faidón ; Kratylos ; Theaitétos ; Sofistés ; Politikos. Edited by Platón, Translated by František Novotný. Vyd. 1. Praha: Oikoymenh, 2003, 558 s. ISBN 8072980629. info
  • ARISTOTELÉS. Metafyzika. Praha: Petr Rezek, 2003, 579 pp. info
  • ARISTOTELÉS. Etika Níkomachova. Translated by Antonín Kříž. 2. rozš. vyd. Praha: Rezek, 1996, 493 s. ISBN 8090179673. info
    recommended literature
  • Reeve, C. D. C. (1989). Socrates in the Apology: An Essay on Plato's Apology of Socrates. Indianapolis - Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company.
  • Halliwell, S. (ed.) (2015). Aristophanes: Clouds, Women at the Thesmophoria, Frogs. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Vlastos, G. (1991). Socrates: Ironist and Moral Philosopher. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
  • Cooper, J. M. (ed.) (1997). Plato: Complete Works. Indianapolis - Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company.
  • Barnes, J. (ed.) (1984). The Complete Works of Aristotle. The Revised Oxford Translation. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
  • Morrison, D. R. (ed.) (2011). The Cambridge Companion to Socrates. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Kahn, C. H. (1996). Plato and the Socratic Dialogue: The Philosophical Use of a Literary Form. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Irwin, T. (1995). Plato's Ethics. New York - Oxford: Oxford University Press.
    not specified
  • ARISTOTELÉS. Politika. Translated by Antonín Kříž. 2. vyd. Praha: Rezek, 1998, 499 s. ISBN 80-86027-10-4. info
Teaching methods
The course is a combination of lectures and class discussions. Systematic home reading and preparation for clases is necessary requirement for the successful completion of the course.
Assessment methods
Colloquium based on a text chosen by the student.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
The course is taught once in two years.
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/RLS022