RLS021 The Beginnings of Greek Philosohy: Presocratics and Sophists

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2024
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 B2.34, except Mon 18. 11. to Sun 24. 11.
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! KR021 Presocratics and Sophists
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: 13/60, 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 28 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course serves as an introduction to the Greek philosophy of the Archaic 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 Presocratic philosophers and Sophists. Special attention will be devoted the transition from myth to philosophy and critical, rational thought.
Reading of the primary literature will 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:
- present the specifics of the preservation of Presocratic philosophical works;
- summarize main differences between a mythical and a philosophical approach to the world;
- identify the most important exponents of Presocratic philosophy and Sophistic movement;
- describe ontology, epistemology, cosmogony, cosmology and ethics of selected Presocratic philosophers and Sophists.
Syllabus
  • 1. General introduction to the earliest Greek philosophy.
  • 2. From myth to philosophy.
  • 3. Milesian School: Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes.
  • 4. Xenophanes.
  • 5. Eleatics: Parmenides, Zeno, Melissus.
  • 6. Pythagoras and Pythagoreans.
  • 7. Heraclitus.
  • 8. Atomists: Democritus.
  • 9. Empedocles.
  • 10. Anaxagoras.
  • 11. Sophists I: Protagoras, Gorgias.
  • 12.–13. Sophists II: Prodicus, Critias, Antiphon.
Literature
    required literature
  • KIRK, G. S., J. E. RAVEN and Malcolm SCHOFIELD. Předsókratovští filosofové kritické dějiny s vybranými texty. Edited by Tomáš Vítek, Translated by Filip Karfík - Petr Kolev. [Brno: Masarykova univerzita. Středisko pro pomoc studentům se specifickými nároky, 2013, 1 online. URL info
    recommended literature
  • Laks, A. - Most, G. W. (eds.) (2016). Early Greek Philosophy I-IX. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
  • McKirahan, R.D. (2010). Philosophy before Socrates. Indianapolis: Hackett.
  • Barnes, J. (1982). The Presocratic Philosophers. London - New York: Routledge.
  • Guthrie, W. K. C. (1962). A History of Greek Philosophy I: The Earlier Presocratics and the Pythagoreans. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Guthrie, W. K. C. (1965). A History of Greek Philosophy II: The Presocratic Tradition from Parmenides to Democritus. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Guthrie, W. K. C. (1971). The Sophists. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Curd, P. - Graham, D. W. (eds.) (2008). The Oxford Handbook of Presocratic Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Long, A. A. (ed.) (1999). The Cambridge Companion to Early Greek Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • PLATÓN. Theaitétos. Translated by František Novotný. 4. opr. vyd. Praha: Oikoymenh, 2007, 117 s. ISBN 9788072982943. info
  • GIGON, Olof. Der Ursprung der griechischen Philosophie : von Hesiod bis Parmenides. 2. Aufl. Basel: Schwabe & Co., 1968, 295 s. info
    not specified
  • Zlomky předsokratovských myslitelů. Translated by Karel Svoboda. Vyd. 2. Praha: Nakladatelství Československé akademie věd, 1962, 200 s. URL info
  • PLATÓN. Protagoras. Translated by František Novotný. V Praze: Jan Laichter, 1939, xiii, 78. info
  • PLATÓN. Parmenides. Translated by František Novotný. V Praze: Jan Laichter, 1936, xii, 86. 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 the elaboration of one of the course topics.
Language of instruction
Czech
Follow-Up Courses
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught once in two years.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
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