PHIL 252 - Plato

Unit(s): 4

Alfred North Whitehead famously said that all Western Philosophy was ‘a footnote to Plato.’ He introduces most of its important questions, and many of his answers to them are still being debated. What is courage, friendship, virtue? Can the latter be taught? What is justice and the most just state? Can it realistically be achieved, and, if so, how? Is the truth of all values and statements relative to the ones who holds them or is there an objective standard by which these should be judged? If so, what is it? We will examine these and other questions through an investigation and discussion of Plato’s dialogues. Offered every year.

College of Arts and Sciences