Philosophy 12 Office Hours: 6-6:45 T in BEH 1309

History of Greek Philosophy Voicemail: (818) 710-4494 ext. 5162

Fall 2006. Sec. #3344

Prof. Remsburg

Texts: W.T. Jones, The Classical Mind

J. Gaarder, Sophie’s World

B. Russell, Wisdom of the West

Assignments: Students are expected to have read and studied the material prior to the date of the class lectures.

Exams: There will be two midterm exams (essay and objective) and a comprehensive final exam, as well as unannounced brief objective quizzes. Each exam will count for 25% of the final grade and the total quizzes 25% of the final grade. There will be NO MAKE UP exams, and the lowest quiz grade will be dropped. There are no extra credit assignments.

Order of Lecture Topics:

1. What is Philosophy?

Historical Background

Major Subdivisions

2. The Ancient Greek world and why they should be remembered

3. The Greeks and their gods in art and literature: Olympian Religion, Mystery Religions

4. The Pre-Socratics and the natural order

EXAM I

5. Socrates and the Sophists

6. Plato and Eternal Reality

7. Plato’s reflection on love: The Symposium

8. Platonic Utopia as a model for the soul: The Republic

EXAM II

9. Aristotle’s metaphysics: the goal of the cosmos

10. Aristotle’s ethical system: The Good Life

11. Aristotle’s Ideal Man and the Political Life

12. Classical philosophy after Aristotle: Epicureans and Stoics

13. Philosophical skepticism in the Ancient World

14. Plotinus: Salvation in mystical union with god.

EXAM III (Final Exam): Tuesday, December 19, 7:30- 9:30 (NOTE TIME!!)

*Any student who has unexcused absences equaling one week’s worth of class time prior to 9/19 will be excluded. Between 9/19 & 11/26 students wishing to drop this class must do so THEMSELVES to avoid receiving a grade of “F”. No drops after 11/26 STUDENTS SHOULD NEVER RELY ON THE PROFESSOR TO EXCLUDE THEM: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DROP IF YOU STOP ATTENDING, and to be familiar with the Student Discipline and Academic Honesty policies at Pierce College.