Course Descriptions

This course is an exploration of the writings, thought, and legacy of Plato, from its roots in his encounter with Socrates through the development of his own writings, and into the continuous tradition that his writings inspired, a tradition that continues to be debated in philosophy and other disciplines to this day. The first half of the course is devoted to a careful reading of and philosophical engagement with central  Platonic dialogues. In the latter half of the course, attention turns to the consideration of some of Plato’s Neoplatonic successors, before concluding by considering the ways that Plato’s thought continues to be debated, appropriated, and a creatively retrieved as a means of addressing central concerns of our own day. Priority to PCC students