Plato's Republic (PHL 13)

  • Day and time: Thursday 14:00 - 15:00
    Weekly
  • Length of course: 3 terms. Autumn (10 Weeks), Spring (10 Weeks), Summer (10 Weeks)
  • Number of places: 15
  • Start date: 08 October 2020
  • Description:

    Enthusiastic volunteers will read the parts of the brilliant Socrates and the perplexed, questioning and sometimes alert, sometimes slow-off-the-mark two brothers of Plato, Glaucon and Adeimantus, in that masterpiece of western philosophy, the Republic, exploring the meaning of justice, and whether this is different from goodness. We will start with the dazzling fireworks of the introduction, Book 1, which features the complacent old Cephalus and his more thoughtful son, and the rudely aggressive moral relativist Thrasymachus. We will then cover parts of the rest of this sparkling, delightful dialogue. The Republic is the book to take with you on your desert island, always revealing greater profundity, but on the surface simple and accessible. I shall provide a running commentary, and facilitate group discussions. You will need the (revised) translation by Desmond Lee.

  • Format: Taught lecture

  • Tutor: Chris Jones
  • I have been teaching Plato at the U3AC for the past six terms, and love bringing his philosophy to life with group readings, commentaries and facilitated discussions


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