Sophist, Statesman, Philosopher: Plato's Later Metaphysics and Politics
CHUM 331
Spring 2019
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
PHIL 306, COL 335 |
How is it possible to speak falsely? Plato connects this question with a puzzle he inherits from the great pre-Socratic philosopher Parmenides: to speak falsely is to speak about what is not; but in speaking about what is not, we ascribe being somehow to not-being, which sounds like a contradiction. This seminar will focus on the metaphysical, epistemological, and political issues generated by Parmenides's puzzle and explore Plato's solution to them in two of his later-period works: the Sophist and the Statesman. In the process, we will see how Plato rethinks his theory of forms in these dialogues, how he learns to let go of Socrates, how a sophist should be distinguished from a philosopher, and how all of this is relevant to politics and the art of ruling. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS CHUM |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (PHIL)(PHIL-Philosophy)(PHIL-Social Jus) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Plato, SOPHIST; Plato, STATESMAN; various secondary source articles and readings
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Examinations and Assignments:
Group presentation; class participation; four reflection essays; one final research paper. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Students who have taken PHIL 201 will be adequately prepared for this seminar. For students who have not taken PHIL 201: if you have a background that you believe provides you with a basis to take this seminar, please send a short note to tirani@wesleyan.edu and indicate: (1) your knowledge of ancient philosophy and/or specific interest in Plato; and (2) any prior courses you've taken that you feel prepare you for the readings. |
| Instructor(s): Irani,Tushar Times: ..T.... 01:20PM-04:10PM; Location: CAMS 3; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 2 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 3 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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