Prospectus

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Plato's Timaeus: Science, Politics and Morality

Course
2013-2014

Admission requirements

BA in Philosophy or equivalent. Introductory level knowledge of ancient philosophy.

Description

In this seminar we embark on a thorough reading of Plato’s famous dialogue the Timaeus (in English translation). On the surface it is one of the two most influential creation stories in Western history (the other being the book of Genesis in the Bible). A closer look reveals that the dialogue spells out the conditions of Plato’s politics, describes the mathematization of the physical world, and addresses the vexing question how autonomous material processes still leave room for morality. Apart from important issues of interpretation we shall look at famous instances of reception in later philosophy and art of this emblematic dialogue.

Course objectives

Course objectives will be posted on Blackboard by the start of the course.

Timetable

See Collegeroosters Wijsbegeerte 2013-2014 , MA Philosophy 60 EC en 120 EC.
See Timetables Philosophy 2013-2014 , Timetables MA Philosophy 60 EC/120 EC

Mode of instruction

Seminars

Course load

To be announced.

Assessment method

  • Participation in the seminar (25%)

  • At least one presentation in the seminar (25%)

  • End of term paper (50%)

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used for posting of instructions, texts and information.

Reading list

  • Plato. Timaeus and Critias. A new translation by Robin Waterfield with an introduction by Andrew Gregory, Oxford World Classics, Oxford 2008.

  • T.K. Johansen, Plato’s Natural Philosophy. A Study of the Timaeus-Critias . Cambridge 2004.

  • Materials on Blackboard.

Dutch students can also use the translation in X. de Win, Plato , deel 5, herziene editie, Kapellen 1999.

Registration

Please register for this course on uSis.
See Inschrijven voor cursussen en tentamens
See Registration for courses and examinations

Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply. See also Registration for courses and examinations

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Not applicable.

Contact information

Prof.dr. F.A.J. de Haas

Remarks