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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

FS

Aug 25, 2017

Good, interesting introduction to the cosmology and ethics of Plato and presocratic thinkers. The reading material is good and the lectures are pleasant and interesting!

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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276 - 300 of 476 Reviews for Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors

By Priya B

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Aug 2, 2020

Excellent content and very well explained/delivered.

By Andrew F

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Jun 29, 2020

Wonderful explication of Plato and his predecessors.

By Callie G

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May 4, 2020

Well-articulated lectures, and good reading material

By Vilmos F

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Apr 30, 2020

It made things very easy to understand and exciting.

By Achyuth N

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Aug 26, 2020

It certainly increased my curiosity in this matter.

By Paul A A

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Sep 15, 2019

Well done. A little superficial, but a great start.

By Gustavo A G A

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May 16, 2017

Buena maestra, gran contenido y muy bien explicado.

By Gladson S

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Jan 3, 2024

Curso maravilhoso. Eu tive um encontro com Platão!

By George J B

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May 16, 2016

Excellent delivery of rather interesting material!

By Itamar F

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Feb 13, 2021

Excellent! Loved the lectures by professor Susan.

By Valentina P M

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May 26, 2020

Pretty good explanations and methods of teaching.

By Julio C R C

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Aug 26, 2020

Me parece excelente los contenidos de este curso

By Georgina M M

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Jun 20, 2017

Thoroughly enjoyable. Great course! Thank you.

By Boris F S M

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Sep 22, 2024

Muy buen curso, muy completo y de buena calidad

By Shana R

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May 18, 2020

Good content to use for my lSAC exam. Thank you

By JOHN Q

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Feb 18, 2016

Interesting, well taught, and enjoyable course!

By Kazumasa S

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Apr 13, 2016

Well produced videos and informative lectures.

By luz s r

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May 29, 2020

I really liked the ancient philosophy course.

By cecilia l

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Jan 18, 2017

Great course. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks.

By Emil

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Dec 30, 2020

Very interesting for an introductory course.

By yodhin a

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Jun 13, 2020

i really enjoyed learning about these things

By Thomas O

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Nov 3, 2016

Quick overview, but very interesting course.

By Sohini B

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Feb 21, 2016

The lectures are excellent and interesting.

By ANDREA A G D L T E

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May 27, 2020

Concise videos and interesting reflections

By Carlos H

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Feb 7, 2024

Aprendi muito. Obrigado pela oportunidade