Syllabus
The course will focus on Plato's and Aristotle's view on soul and body, yet we will also touch upon some of their predecesors (Homer, presocratics) as well as some of the later hellenic philosophers (Epicurus, stoics).
The origins: Homer & presocratics
Plato: Phaedo
Plato: Timaeus - body & soul of the universe; immortal souls
Plato: Timaeus - mortal souls and bodies; sense perception
Plato: Timaeus - mortal souls (cont.); plants; other animals
Aristotle: On the Soul (introduction)
Aristotle: On the Soul - sense perception
Aristotle: On the Soul - phantasia
Aristotle: On the Soul - nous & logos
Aristotle: On the Soul - movement
Epicurus
Stoics
Annotation
The course will take a look at how ancient Greek philosophy conceptualized relation between body and soul. After an overview of presocratic philosophers, we will focus on two prominent figures of Plato and Aristotle. The course will address several traditional issues: soul's immortality; soul's relation to the body; parts of soul; functions of soul (perception, thinking; desires and appetites) etc. Key primary sources: Plato - Phaedo, Phaedrus, Respublic,
Timaeus; Aristotle - On the Soul.