Admission requirements
Introductory level knowledge of ancient philosophy.
Toehoorders / à la carte-studenten hebben alleen toegang tot deze cursus met toestemming van de docent.
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
Friday, 10:00-13:00
See Collegeroosters Wijsbegeerte 2011-2012 , BA Wijsbegeerte (BA Plus-traject of Standaardtraject)
See Timetables Philosophy 2011-2012 , Timetable Undergraduate Courses in English
Mode of instruction
Seminar, student presentations
Assessment method
participation in the seminar (25%)
at least one presentation in the seminar (25%)
end of term paper (50%)
Blackboard
Yes
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.
Nederlandse BA-3 studenten kunnen mede gebruik maken van de vertaling in X. de Win, Plato , deel 5, herziene editie, Kapellen 1999.
Registration
Please register for this course on uSis.
Exchange students and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.
Aanmelden à la carte en contractonderwijs
Aanmelden voor Contractonderwijs via: e.klumper@phil.leidenuniv.nl
Na aanmelding ook inschrijven voor cursus en tentamen(s) via uSis
Contact information
Remarks
Specialisatie (BA Wijsbegeerte): Geschiedenis van de filosofie