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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors by University of Pennsylvania

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About the Course

What is philosophy? How does it differ from science, religion, and other modes of human discourse? This course traces the origins of philosophy in the Western tradition in the thinkers of Ancient Greece. We begin with the Presocratic natural philosophers who were active in Ionia in the 6th century BCE and are also credited with being the first scientists. Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximines made bold proposals about the ultimate constituents of reality, while Heraclitus insisted that there is an underlying order to the changing world. Parmenides of Elea formulated a powerful objection to all these proposals, while later Greek theorists (such as Anaxagoras and the atomist Democritus) attempted to answer that objection. In fifth-century Athens, Socrates insisted on the importance of the fundamental ethical question—“How shall I live?”—and his pupil, Plato, and Plato’s pupil, Aristotle, developed elaborate philosophical systems to explain the nature of reality, knowledge, and human happiness. After the death of Aristotle, in the Hellenistic period, Epicureans and Stoics developed and transformed that earlier tradition. We will study the major doctrines of all these thinkers. Part I will cover Plato and his predecessors. Part II will cover Aristotle and his successors....

Top reviews

LL

Mar 9, 2016

Good intro to early Greek philosophy. Dr Meyer has a simple and subtly humorous approach to the material. Dr Meyer makes the subject approachable so that the student wants to do further reading.

MD

Jan 17, 2021

This was my first online course. In a crazy year, the flexibiilty to reset deadlines was much appreciated. I enjoyed the grading system, especially when your peers are from all around the world.

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326 - 350 of 462 Reviews for Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors

By jennifer c

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Feb 11, 2017

Engaging and well presented.

By Orlando N

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Jun 6, 2024

Fue un recorrido motivador

By MANUEL A K M

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May 30, 2020

Muy buen curso, excelente

By Edwin K

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Jul 13, 2016

Good introductory course.

By Petervan

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Apr 10, 2022

Ohh gee, It's so perfect

By Varya F

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Sep 12, 2021

Love her presentation!!!

By Nikolaos S

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Feb 3, 2021

Very interesting course!

By Saikat B

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Aug 8, 2019

Clear and comprehensive.

By Sumantra G

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Nov 28, 2016

It's an awesome course

By Gregory M

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Mar 11, 2023

Great Course , Thanks

By Berke Y

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Apr 26, 2020

thanks for everything

By Samuel S

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May 12, 2018

Excellent instructor!

By Danae D

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Feb 25, 2016

VERY VERY INTERESTING

By Megan B

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Aug 1, 2020

Thank you, Dr Meyer!

By Серикжан М

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Oct 20, 2024

отличный курс супео

By Barbara H

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Jan 19, 2021

Excellent lectures!

By Felipe Z G

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Jun 5, 2020

Excellent course!!!

By Francisco J J

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Apr 10, 2016

Outstanding course!

By John V T

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Jun 3, 2017

Outstanding Course

By Felipe V R

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Jun 9, 2016

Muito Bom o curso!

By ELISABETH S

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May 8, 2016

more than great!!!

By Charlene K

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Jan 17, 2023

excellent course.

By An H T

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Sep 2, 2021

Simply the best!

By AURORA P

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Jun 9, 2020

Great experience.

By Carlos M G

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Mar 16, 2019

Excellent teacher