The course will pursue a close, scholarly reading and interpretation of Plato’s dialogues, Ion, Laches, Hippias Major, Hippias Minor, and Phaedo. This will lead us to consider basic Platonic philosophical ideas, such as the nature of skill or art, of moral excellence, knowledge, perception, learning as recollection, Forms, and the pursuit of wisdom. We will consider broader questions about Plato’s philosophical aims, methods, and principles as well.

            The course will also be a writing course in which students will complete an organized curriculum of guided practice in philosophic research and the writing of a substantial philosophic research paper. The class will meet two days per week for 100-minutes per class. One 50-minute period each week will be devoted to the writing component of the course. 

 Required Books: 1. Early Socratic Dialogues. Ed. & tr. Trevor Saunders. Penguin Classics. Includes: Ion, Laches, Lysis, Charmides, Hippias Major, Hippias Minor, and Euthydemus.  ISBN 9780140455038

2. Plato. Phaedo. Tr. Grube. In Plato. Five Dialogues. Hackett. ISBN 0915145227

3. Plato.  Phaedo. Tr. Gallop. Oxford World’s Classics  ISBN 0192839535

 Recommended Book: Gerald A. Press, Plato: A Guide for the Perplexed. Continuum. ISBN 0826491766