The Greeks: The Philosophers

Greeks: The Philosophers covers the most important works of Plato and Aristotle and introduces students to the ideas that have been wrestled with by Western Civilization for over two thousand years. The texts covered in this unit include Plato’s Apology, Crito, Phaedo, Phaedrus, and Republic; and Aristotle’s Metaphysics, Ethics, and Poetics. Wesley Callihan draws from decades of teaching experience as he unpacks the concepts, dispels common misconceptions, and explains how the Christian church and society at large have been influenced by the ideas of these men—both for good and for ill.

Course Objectives:

To become proficient in the conversational approach to learning: close readings, interpretive questions, and Socratic discussions of the texts. 2. To gain a grasp of the literary figures and the historical framework of the time period. 3. To develop lateral thinking skills by analyzing and synthesizing themes and motifs. 4. To cultivate an appetite for learning as a way of life (the life of the mind). 5. To cultivate a desire to pursue the highest things. 6. To be able to think Christianly and write persuasively about perennial human questions.

Texts or Required Materials:

• Plato: Six Greek Dialogues
• The Basic Works of Aristotle

Materials for this course will be made available free of charge by the instructor.