HISTORY OF ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY
PHIL 40213
Fall 2004 Syllabus

Dr. Blake Hestir
Office: Reed Hall 223
Office Hours: 2-3 MW, or by appointment
Phone: 257-6374
email: b.hestir@tcu.edu

1. Required Texts
McKirahan, Richard. Philosophy Before Socrates (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing
Co., 1994).
Grube, G. M. A. Plato: Five Dialogues (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Co., 1981).
Grube, G.M.A. and C.D.C. Reeve. Plato’s Republic (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing
Co., 1992).
Gill, Mary Louise and Paul Ryan. Plato: Parmenides (Indianapolis: Hackett
Publishing Co., 1996).
Burnyeat, Myles. The Theaetetus of Plato. M. J. Levett, trans. (Indianapolis: Hackett
Publishing Co., 1990).
Irwin, T. and Gail Fine. Aristotle: Selections (Hackett Publishing Co., 1995).
Readings on the Web: http://www.phil.tcu.edu

2. Course Description and Objectives
PHIL 40213 offers you a general historical overview of Western philosophy from about the Sixth Century B.C. through the Thirteenth Century A.D. The topical focus of this course is the development of Western metaphysics and epistemology, though in some cases we shall touch on ethical and political themes. (NB: The course emphasizes ancient Greek philosophy over ancient Roman and medieval philosophy, so those of you who are here only for the latter might reconsider.)

3. Course Requirements
3.1. Graded Material
Two term papers: 300 pts. (150 pts. each)
Three essay tests: 300 pts. (100 pts. each) Total points: 600 points

3.2. Essay Tests
I have scheduled three in-class essay tests throughout the semester. The second and third tests are mildly cumulative in the sense that some of the philosophical ideas or problems you learn earlier in the semester will remain important throughout. I shall provide you with a set of sample questions in advance, from which I shall choose three or four for the test. You will need the LARGE blue books for the test. I will allow make-ups for anyone with a legitimate University excuse.

3.3. Term Papers
You will write two term papers throughout the semester. I’ll announce topics well in advance of the due date. The papers are to be original work, involving philosophical discussion and criticism of one or more philosophers’ views. These papers must be double-spaced, typed, and no less than SIX pages in length. These papers should reflect your ability to summarize and discuss a particular position concisely and critically. Be sure to check grammar and spelling! Any paper not meeting these requirements will receive a grade no higher than the equivalent of a 'C'. I accept rough drafts, and in fact I encourage you to stop by my office ahead of time and talk with me about your papers. (Please, no rough drafts later than two days before the due date!) Papers are due no later than the beginning of class on the assigned day. Late papers will not be accepted. In the case of an emergency, you will need to supply written documentation. Details and specifics about the papers will come with the paper topics.
Plagiarism and Cheating: I strictly uphold the TCU Academic Conduct Policy published in the TCU Undergraduate Studies Bulletin and on the web at http://www.reg.tcu.edu. For nothing you get NOTHING!

3.4. Class Participation
Class participation is a must! Since this is a relatively small, upper-level class, I expect and encourage everyone to participate regularly in any class discussion.

3.5. Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should contact and provide appropriate documentation to the Coordinator for Students with Disabilities (Center for Academic Services) as soon as possible.

3.6. Attendance policy
It is important that you attend class. Again, since the class size is small, I shall remember those who do and do not attend class regularly. If you do not attend class regularly, I guarantee you will NOT do well in this class.

4. Schedule of Lectures, Readings, and Papers.
Note that changes to this schedule may be necessary; if so, they will be announced in class.
Aug. 25: Syllabus and Introduction to Greek Philosophy.
Suggested Reading: McKirahan, chs. 1-3, pp. 1-22; ch. 8, pp. 69-78.
Aug. 30: Heraclitus: Change
Reading: McKirahan, ch. 10, pp. 116-150.
Sept. 1: Parmenides: Being
Reading: McKirahan, ch. 11, pp. 151-178.
Sept. 6: Labor Day: No Class
Sept. 8: The Atomists: Atoms and the Void
Reading: McKirahan, ch. 16, pp. 303-343.
Sept. 13: Socrates and the Sophists
Reading: Plato, Euthyphro, pp. 5-16; WEB: Gorgias.
Sept. 15: Plato: Doctrine of Recollection
Reading: Meno, pp. 59-88.
Sept. 20: Plato: Theory of Forms
Reading: Phaedo, pp. 89-115, pp. 146-155.
Sept. 22: Plato: Psychology and Philosophy of Mind
Reading: Republic IV, pp. 94-121 (419a-445e)
Sept. 27: Plato: Metaphysics, Epistemology, and the Good
Reading: Republic, Books V-VI, pp. 149-185 (474b-511e).
Sept. 29: Plato: Metaphysics, Epistemology, and the Good
Reading: Republic, Book VII, pp. 186-212 (514a-541b)
Oct. 4: Plato: Later Epistemology
Reading: Theaetetus, pp.
Oct. 6: Plato: Later Epistemology
Reading: Theaetetus, pp.
Oct. 11: Plato: Later Epistemology
Reading: Theaetetus, pp.
Oct. 13: EXAM I
Oct. 18: Aristotle’s Early Metaphysics
Reading: Categories 1-5, pp. 1-10.
Oct. 20: Aristotle’s Semantic Theory
Reading: De Interpretatione 1-4, pp. 13-16.
Oct. 25: Aristotle’s Methodology and Epistemology
Reading: Posterior Analytics I 2, pp. 39-42; II 8-10, 19, pp. 61-68.
Oct. 27: Aristotle on Nature and Change
Reading: Physics II 1-3, pp. 95-105; II 7-9, pp. 112-119.
TERM PAPER I DUE
Nov. 1: Aristotle’s Psychology and Philosophy of Mind
Reading: De Partibus Animalium I 1, 209-214; De Anima II 1-3, pp. 176-
184.
Nov. 3: Aristotle’s Psychology and Philosophy of Mind
Reading: De Anima III 3-5, pp. 197-202.
Nov. 8: Aristotle’s Later Metaphysics.
Reading: Metaphysics I 1, pp. 221-7; I 6, pp. 233-240.
Nov. 10: Aristotle’s Later Metaphysics.
Reading: Metaphysics IV 1-2, pp.244-46; V 7-8, pp. 270-72.
Nov. 15: Aristotle’s Later Metaphysics
Reading: Metaphysics VII 1-6, pp. 272-286. VII 10-11, pp. 294-302;
Nov. 17: Aristotle’s Unmoved Mover
Reading: Metaphysics XII 6-8, pp. 332-342.
Nov. 22: EXAM II
Nov. 24: No class prior to Thanksgiving
Nov. 29: Neoplatonism: Plotinus and Augustine
Reading: WEB: TBA
TERM PAPER II DUE
Dec. 1: Aquinas: God, Soul, Body.
Reading: WEB: TBA
Dec. 6: Aquinas: For the Existence of God.
Reading: WEB: TBA
Dec. 8: Summary and Evaluation
Dec. 17: EXAM III, Friday 3-5:30.

5. Useful Library and Web Resources for Philosophical Research
The following publications and databases may be found in the Mary Couts Burnett Library, or on the web at: http://libnt1.is.tcu.edu/resguides/resguide.asp?ID=10

The Philosopher’s Index.Provides indexing and abstracts from books and journals of philosophy and related fields.

Encyclopedia of Classical Philosophy (1997). Reference work on the philosophy of Greek and Roman antiquity. Over 270 signed articles. Ranges from the dawn of philosophy in Ionia in 6th century B.C.E. to the decline of the Academy in Athens in the 6th century B.E. (Reference Room, B163 .E53 1997)

Philosophy: a Guide to the Reference Literature (2nd ed., 1997) Annotated bibliography of several hundred reference resources, both special and generalized. Emphasis is on English-language works. (Reference Desk, Z7125 .B97 1997)

Research Guide to Philosophy (1983). Covers the history of philosophy form the ancient Greeks to the 20th century. Discusses the major areas of philosophy; Reference Works at the back list bibliographies, dictionaries & encyclopedias, digests & handbooks, directories, a dissertation index, and several series. (Reference Room, B52 .T5 1983)

The Philosopher's Guide to Sources, Research Tools, Professional Life, and Related Fields (1980). Comprehensive bibliography, some with brief annotations, of research resources in philosophy. (Main Stacks, Z7125 .D445)