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

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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

LL

Mar 9, 2016

Good intro to early Greek philosophy. Dr Meyer has a simple and subtly humorous approach to the material. Dr Meyer makes the subject approachable so that the student wants to do further reading.

MD

Jan 17, 2021

This was my first online course. In a crazy year, the flexibiilty to reset deadlines was much appreciated. I enjoyed the grading system, especially when your peers are from all around the world.

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351 - 375 of 480 Reviews for Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors

By Samuel S

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May 13, 2018

Excellent instructor!

By Danae D

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Feb 26, 2016

VERY VERY INTERESTING

By Megan B

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Aug 1, 2020

Thank you, Dr Meyer!

By Серикжан М

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Oct 20, 2024

отличный курс супео

By Barbara H

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Jan 19, 2021

Excellent lectures!

By Felipe Z G

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Jun 5, 2020

Excellent course!!!

By Francisco J J

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Apr 11, 2016

Outstanding course!

By John T

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Jun 3, 2017

Outstanding Course

By Felipe V R

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Jun 9, 2016

Muito Bom o curso!

By ELISABETH S

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May 9, 2016

more than great!!!

By Charlene K

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Jan 18, 2023

excellent course.

By An H T

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Sep 2, 2021

Simply the best!

By AURORA P

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Jun 9, 2020

Great experience.

By Carlos M G

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Mar 16, 2019

Excellent teacher

By Abubakar D

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Jun 9, 2017

Excellent course!

By ANDERSON C D C E V

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Nov 28, 2025

Curso muito bom!

By Muhammad F

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Apr 4, 2024

Wonderful Course

By karl h

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Jan 2, 2024

very informative

By Miriam G P d A

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Sep 14, 2022

excelente curso

By ALEJANDRO D

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Dec 30, 2020

Excelente curso.

By Arturo C

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May 28, 2020

A great teacher!

By Kacper “ G

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Sep 29, 2019

Excellent course

By Jaffar H

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May 17, 2016

Excellent Course

By Issa K

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Jul 2, 2020

Awesome Course!

By Emanuele S

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May 4, 2020

Amazing Course!