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Week 1 / Introduction
INTRO LECTURE
“SOCRATES: Wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and
philosophy begins in wonder.” (Plato, Theaetetus 155c-d, tr.
Jowett)
Plato
born in 428/427 BCE
died in 348/347 BCE
Ancient Athens, polis a city state: democracy (political assembly)
Patriarchal society, only men were citizens
Around 20% of members of the city were slaves
Plato was an aristocrat (he probably benefited from slavery)
He did not really appreciate the democracy
We will be discussing different branches of philosophy: metaphysics /
ontology / epistemology / ethics / aesthetics
WAYS OF THINKING = MODES OF THINKING
How?
How do we know things?
How do we know that we know things well or truthfully? (Can we trust our
senses?)
And what is truth?
And what is good?
And is the truth always good?
Week 1 / Introduction 1
Week 1 / Introduction
INTRO LECTURE
“SOCRATES: Wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and
philosophy begins in wonder.” (Plato, Theaetetus 155c-d, tr.
Jowett)
Plato
born in 428/427 BCE
died in 348/347 BCE
Ancient Athens, polis a city state: democracy (political assembly)
Patriarchal society, only men were citizens
Around 20% of members of the city were slaves
Plato was an aristocrat (he probably benefited from slavery)
He did not really appreciate the democracy
We will be discussing different branches of philosophy: metaphysics /
ontology / epistemology / ethics / aesthetics
WAYS OF THINKING = MODES OF THINKING
How?
How do we know things?
How do we know that we know things well or truthfully? (Can we trust our
senses?)
And what is truth?
And what is good?
And is the truth always good?
Week 1 / Introduction 1
