Chevron Left
Back to Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors

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

4.8
stars
1,599 ratings

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

HL

Feb 23, 2022

T​his course is an excellent introduction to reading & learning about ancient philosophers. The videos helped to make the works of Plato, Socrates & many others understandable. Thank you.

LC

Aug 4, 2023

Its short duration course but so much new knowledge and conceptual. Really like the way of Socrates questioning and moreover their analysis argument is whole new best ever.

Filter by:

326 - 350 of 480 Reviews for Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors

By Theodore M

•

May 31, 2016

well structured and well presented

By Rebecca L M H

•

May 16, 2024

So well structured and enjoyable!

By Cesar P

•

Aug 20, 2024

Muy bueno como punto de partida.

By Gabriel S

•

Dec 14, 2021

5 Star Professor, 5 Star Course.

By Prashant S S

•

May 3, 2019

Very nice and informative course

By Фазылов Д Д

•

Nov 6, 2025

It's a very informative course.

By George N M

•

Feb 10, 2023

This course is simply amazing!

By Saeed E

•

Sep 22, 2021

amazing lectures and materials

By Joanna C

•

Oct 19, 2017

Well paced, interesting course

By Valeria G A

•

Nov 28, 2023

really good, loved the videos

By Shirley K

•

Jul 31, 2020

such a fun course.! thank you

By Talha R

•

Sep 9, 2019

Amazing course, enlightening.

By Dragutin R

•

Oct 20, 2017

Just what I needed.

Thank you.

By Kuznichenko S

•

May 15, 2020

I am glad study this course!

By jennifer c

•

Feb 12, 2017

Engaging and well presented.

By Orlando N

•

Jun 7, 2024

Fue un recorrido motivador

By MANUEL A K M

•

May 30, 2020

Muy buen curso, excelente

By Edwin K

•

Jul 14, 2016

Good introductory course.

By Petervan

•

Apr 10, 2022

Ohh gee, It's so perfect

By Varya F

•

Sep 13, 2021

Love her presentation!!!

By Nikolaos S

•

Feb 3, 2021

Very interesting course!

By Saikat B

•

Aug 8, 2019

Clear and comprehensive.

By Sumantra G

•

Nov 28, 2016

It's an awesome course

By Gregory M

•

Mar 11, 2023

Great Course , Thanks

By Berke Y

•

Apr 27, 2020

thanks for everything