PL 101: Introduction to Philosophy (Spring 2015)

Platonism ancient, medieval, and modern

Professor: Thornton Lockwood
Office Hours: Mondays 3:00-5:00 and by
appointment
Office Location: CAS 3 (room 108)

Office Phone: (203) 582-3345

Class Time and Room:
MWF 2-2:50, CCE, Room 201
Email: tlockwood@quinnipiac.edu

Course description
Philosophy in the western world is deeply indebted to the writings of Plato (428-348 BCE), an
Athenian philosophy who wrote dialogues which depict his teacher Socrates (470-399 BCE).
Plato is is the a e of a philosoph i spired Platos riti gs, o e hi h ele ates the
knowledge which reason provides over all other forms of knowledge (for instance, those forms
of knowledge based on experience or what the senses can know). The relationship between
Plato a d Plato is is o pli ated first e ause Plato hi self e er put his o thoughts
into writing (at least not in any clear fashion); Plato the perso appears i Platos dialogues
twice, but very briefly (two passages we ill e a i e together). e o dl , Plato is is a it
of a moving target, because it has influenced western philosophers at different points in time in
very different ways. Although we will examine the writings of Plato in the first third of the
course, e ill also stud three Plato i philosophers in the remainder of the course: Ibn
Tufayl (1105-1185), an Islamic philosopher and novelist writing in Andalusia (modern day
Spain); Ren Descartes (1596-1650), a French mathematician, scientist, and philosopher who
arti ulates so e of the ost asi ideas of oder philosoph ; a d Re e a Ne erger
Goldstein (b. 1950), a contemporary American philosopher and novelist. We will use the theme
of Plato is to e plore oth histori all a d fro a o te porary perspective some of the
most basic problems in contemporary philosophy, for instance what is the nature of knowledge
(epistemology), the nature of the cosmos (metaphysics), and the nature of human relationships
(ethics). Along the way, we will also have the opportunity to reflect on the relationship
between philosophy and writing (since none of our authors chose to write in prose).
Learning objectives
Philosophy is at the heart of a liberal arts education and its learning objectives are central to
any university education. The central learning objectives which this course will focus upon are:
Written communication: Regular writing assignments and in class written examinations
Critical Thinking and Reasoning: Reflection on what makes for a good definition and a good
argument
Oral communication: Mandatory classroom participation and oral presentations
Scientific literacy: Reflection on the nature of scientific method and demonstrative proof
Creative thinking: Examination of philosophical problems as challenges for solutions
Student evaluation
The formula for your final grade is:
Class participation/preparation (including informal writing):
Writing assignments (three short papers):
Midterm exam (in-class exam on Friday, 3/6/13):
Cumulative final exam (in-class exam during exam week):

20%
30%
20%
30%

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PL 101 Syllabus: Spring 2015
Prof. Lockwood
Classroom expectations
Every class session will include textual analysis and discussion. Assigned texts are a required
part of each class. Students who repeatedly fail to bring the required readings to class will
be marked absent for that class.
Philosophical writing is dense and challenging. You should plan on rereading, outlining, and
annotating the texts we read for at least 60 minutes before each class (even if the reading is
only a few pages in length).
In general, the use of laptops, tablets, and other electronic devises is prohibited during
class. Cellular phones must be turned off throughout the class. Any student observed using
a cellular phone in class (texting, web-browsing, etc.) will be marked absent for that class.
Paper extensions will be considered only if you consult with me (at least by email) at least 3
days ahead of the papers due date.
Class attendance is mandatory and attendance will be taken in each class. Students are
allowed three absences during the course of the semester; for each absence thereafter,
o es fi al grade ill e lo ered by 2%.
Class starts promptly on the hour. If you are more than 5 minutes late for class you will be
marked absent for that class.
Your final grade may be adjusted upward by a steady pattern of improvement.
Any form of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, or recycling coursework from another class
will result in a failing grade for the assignment and disciplinary measures by the university.
The universit s a ade i i tegrit poli is on-line:
https://myq.quinnipiac.edu/Academics/Academic%20Integrity/Pages/default.aspx.
Students should read it before handing in your first assignment.
I encourage students registered in the course to discuss their learning styles and
comprehension requirements with me. Disabled students are strongly encouraged to avail
themselves of the services provided by the Learning Commons. For more information,
contact John Jarvis, Coordinator of Learning Service (x5390 or john.jarvis@quinnipiac.edu).
Required texts
Most of the texts we will study are in translation. It is imperative that you obtain a copy of the
specific translations that we are using in class so that we can literally be on the same page.
C.D.C. Reeve, The Trials of Socrates: Six Classical Texts. Hackett, 2002. ISBN 0-87220-589-4.
Ibn Tufal ls Ha ibn Yaqzan. Trans. L. E. Goodman. University of Chicago, 2009. ISBN 9780226-30310-9.
Ren Descartes, Meditations on First Philosophy, 3rd ed. Trans. Cress. Hackett, 1993. ISBN 087220-192-7.
R. N. Goldstein, Plato at the Googleple . Wh Philosoph Wont Go Awa . Pantheon, 2014.
ISBN 978-0307456724.

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PL 101 Syllabus: Spring 2015
Prof. Lockwood
Class participation, preparation, and informal writing
Class will include regular student participation and discussion. Students should be prepared to
dis uss or rite a out the da s readi g assig e t for e er lass. E ery Monday students will
u dertake i for al riti g e er ises i lass o the da s readi g assig e t. I ge eral, all
students start with a participation grade of C. Regular and insightful discussion and informal
riti g a raise o es grade to a A; regular silence and informal writing that shows little
fa iliarit ith the readi g a lo er o es grade.
Extra credit
During the course of the semester, you are invited to attend as many as two QU academic
lectures or community events and write a response for each of them for extra credit in the
course. Your response should summarize the main points of the lecture and provide a critical
response to itwhether you agreed with the point of the lecture, disagreed with it, etc. Your
written response to the lecture will be graded and averaged with the writing assignments with
the two lowest grades. The first extra credit assignments will be due no later than Wednesday,
March 4th (the week before Spring break); the second will be due no later than Friday, April 24th
(a week before the semester ends).
Writing assignments and expectations
During the course of the semester you will write three short (2-3 pp.) papers on assigned topics.
There will be four due dates for the papers: every student must hand in a paper for the first due
date, although deciding upon the two other due dates is up to the student. Students have the
option of writing a fourth paper for extra credit, in which case I will drop the lowest grade of
your four papers. In general, your papers will be graded on the basis of three criteria: How well
have you understood and responded to the philosophical problem or text you are writing
about? How well have you incorporated textual material or examples to support your point?
How well have you organized and expressed your points grammatically? Copy-editing and
revision are integral parts of the writing process. Papers that exhibit substantial grammatical
errors (for instance, four or more errors in a paragraph) will receive an Incomplete. Students
who receive an Incomplete on a paper will have one week to complete it with adequate copyediting and revision; after one week, the grade for the paper will automatically drop to a D.
A (A, A-) level grade:
Accurate understanding of the philosophical problem and command of relevant
terminology.
Specific, thoughtful, and relevant illustrations/examples.
Coherent and thoroughnear flawlesspresentation.
Flawless grammatical prose.
B (B+, B, B-) level grade:
Relatively accurate but somewhat uncertain understanding of a philosophical problem.
Specific yet somewhat irrelevant or otherwise weak illustrations/examples.

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PL 101 Syllabus: Spring 2015
Prof. Lockwood

Coherent but not thorough presentation (i.e. did not completely answer the question).
Several grammatical errors.

C (C+, C, C-) level grade and below (D):

Shaky or incorrect understanding of the philosophical problem.
Vague, overly generalized and/or otherwise weak/ irrelevant examples.
Incoherent or disorganized presentation.
Persistent grammatical errors.
F level grade:
Completely mistaken understanding of the philosophical problem
Irrelevance or absence of supporting examples.
No substantial effort to answer the question.
Evidence of academic dishonesty.
Extremely poor grammar.

Reading Schedule
Part I: Ancient and medieval notions of Platonism
Wed:
1/21
Fri:
1/23
Mon:
1/26
Wed:
1/28
Fri:
1/30
Mon:
2/2
Wed:
2/4
Fri:
2/6
Mon:
2/9
Wed:
2/11
Fri:
2/13

Discussion Topic: Introduction to the course and the problem of Socrates

Reading Assignment: Syllabus, Euthyphro 2a-3d (pp. 3-5)
Discussion Topic: Euth phros first defi itio
Reading Assignment: Plato, Euthyphro 3d-6e (pp. 5-11)
Discussion Topic: Socratic refutation
Reading Assignment: Plato, Euthyphro 7a-9d (pp. 11-15)
Discussion Topic: Euth phros dile
a
Reading Assignment: Plato, Euthyphro 9e-11e (pp. 15-19)
Discussion Topic: Piety and justice
Reading Assignment: Plato, Euthyphro 12a-15d (pp. 19-25)
Discussion Topic: The old charges against Socrates
Reading Assignment: Plato, Apology 17a-24b (pp. 26-36)
DUE DATE FOR PAPER #1
Discussion Topic: The new charges against Socrates
Reading Assignment: Plato, Apology 24b-34b (pp. 26-51)
Discussion Topic: The judgment against Socrates
Reading Assignment: Plato, Apology 34b-42a (pp. 51-61)
Discussion Topic: Another view of Socrates
Reading Assignment: Aristophanes, Clouds 1-517 (pp. 89-118)
Discussion Topic: Superior and inferior arguments
Reading Assignment: Aristophanes, Clouds 518-1035 (pp. 118-149)
Discussion Topic: Justice for Strepsiades?
Reading Assignment: Aristophanes, Clouds 1035-1511 (pp. 149-176)

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PL 101 Syllabus: Spring 2015
Prof. Lockwood
Mon:
2/16
Wed:
2/18
Fri:
2/20
Mon:
2/23
Wed:
2/25
Fri:
2/27
Mon:
3/2
Wed:
3/4

Discussion Topic: Who is Crito?

Reading Assignment: Plato, Crito 43a-46b (pp. 62-66)
Discussion Topic: Do two wrongs make a right?
Reading Assignment: Plato, Crito 46b-50a (pp. 66-72)
Discussion Topic: The laws of Athens and the Death of Socrates
Reading Assignment: Plato, Crito 50a-54e, Phaedo 115b-118a (pp. 72-83)
Discussion Topic: The world of Islamic medieval philosophy
Reading Assignment: Hayy ibn Yaqzan (pp. 95-103)
DUE DATE FOR PAPER #2
Discussion Topic: Hayys up ri gi g a d ou g adulthood
Reading Assignment: Hayy ibn Yaqzan (pp. 103-130)
Discussion Topic: Ha s dis o er of God a d the Cos os
Reading Assignment: Hayy ibn Yaqzan (pp. 130-141)
Discussion Topic: The three emulations of God
Reading Assignment: Hayy ibn Yaqzan (pp. 142-156)
Discussion Topic: Companionship and politics
Reading Assignment: Hayy ibn Yaqzan (pp. 156-66)
Friday, 3/6: IN CLASS MIDTERM EXAM
Monday, 3/11-Friday, 3/15: No Classes
Spring Break

Part II: Descartesa modern Platonist(?)

Mon:
3/16
Wed:
3/18
Fri:
3/20
Mon:
3/23
Wed:
3/25
Fri:
3/27
Mon:
3/30
Wed:
4/1

Discussion Topic: The nature of doubt

Reading Assignment: Meditation I (pp. 13-17)
Discussion Topic: The nature of foundationalism
Reading Assignment: Discourse on Method (handout)
Discussion Topic: Who am I?
Reading Assignment: Meditation II (pp. 17-21)
Discussion Topic: Knowledge of the mind and knowledge of the body
Reading Assignment: Meditation II (pp. 21-24)
Discussion Topic: The existence of god
Reading Assignment: Meditation III (pp. 24-27, 30-31, 34-35)
Discussion Topic: The origins of error
Reading Assignment: Meditation IV (pp. 35-42)
LAST DAY TO DROP CLASS WITH A W
Discussion Topic: A return to knowledge: The nature of the self
Reading Assignment: Meditation VI (pp. 47-52)
Discussion Topic: The reunion of mind and body
Reading Assignment: Meditation VI (pp. 52-59)
Friday, 4/3: No Classes
Good Friday

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PL 101 Syllabus: Spring 2015
Prof. Lockwood

Part III: Plato in the modern world

Mon:
4/6
Wed:
4/8
Fri:
4/10
Mon:
4/13
Wed:
4/15
Fri:
4/17
Mon:
4/20
Wed:
4/22
Fri:
4/24
Mon:
4/27
Wed:
4/29
Fri:
5/1

Discussion Topic: The difference between information and knowledge

Reading Assignment: Goldstein, Plato at the Googleplex (pp. 59-91)
DUE DATE FOR PAPER #3
Discussion Topic: The difference between information and knowledge
Reading Assignment: Goldstein, Plato at the Googleplex (pp. 92-120)
No class meeting: Professor away at conference
PODCAST ASSIGNMENT TBA
Discussion Topic: Political community today and in ancient Athens
Reading Assignment: Goldstein, Plato at the 92nd Street Y (pp. 165-185)
PODCAST WRITING ASSIGNMENT DUE
Discussion Topic: Political community today and in ancient Athens
Reading Assignment: Goldstein, Plato at the 92nd Street Y (pp. 186-206)
Discussion Topic: Political community today and in ancient Athens
Reading Assignment: Goldstein, Plato at the 92nd Street Y (pp. 206-221)
Discussion Topic: Platonic love in the modern world
Reading Assignment: Goldstein, xxxPlato (pp. 261-280)
Discussion Topic: Plato in the School of Communications
Reading Assignment: Goldstein, Plato on Cable News (pp. 335-349)
Discussion Topic: Plato in the School of Communications
Reading Assignment: Goldstein, Plato on Cable News (pp. 349-360)
Discussion Topic: Platonic ideas? Cartesian Minds?
Reading Assignment: Goldstein, Plato in the Magnet (pp. 397-411)
Discussion Topic: Platonic ideas? Cartesian Minds?
Reading Assignment: Goldstein, Plato in the Magnet (pp. 411-422)
Discussion Topic: Final thoughts on Plato through the ages
Reading Assignment: Final exam review sheet
MONDAY, MAY 4TH AT 9:00 AM: DUE DATE FOR PAPER #4
Final Exam Schedule: TBA