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

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1,536 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

AA

Apr 18, 2020

Excellent course. This course has opened up ancient philosophy to me and made it accessible. I feel I have finished the course a good understanding of such keys texts as Plato's Republic and Timaeus.

MD

Jan 16, 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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301 - 325 of 458 Reviews for Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors

By Edgar M

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Oct 16, 2022

marvelous! thanks to teacher Susan.

By Mariano C

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May 7, 2021

Thanks a lot. I want be phiolosopher

By Laura M P

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May 1, 2020

Excellent! Complete and interesting!

By Abdulmalik M M

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Jul 9, 2016

Good. I've learned a lot. Thank you.

By Michelle A

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Aug 19, 2020

What a fantastic course! Thank you.

By Shikha D

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Jul 6, 2017

Awesome course! Highly recommended.

By Jean B C

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Mar 15, 2016

Excellent course and really useful!

By Jibran T

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Feb 25, 2016

Profound and thoroughly insightful.

By Theodore M

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May 30, 2016

well structured and well presented

By Rebecca L M H

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May 15, 2024

So well structured and enjoyable!

By Cesar P

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Aug 20, 2024

Muy bueno como punto de partida.

By Gabriel S

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Dec 13, 2021

5 Star Professor, 5 Star Course.

By Prashant S S

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May 2, 2019

Very nice and informative course

By George N M

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Feb 9, 2023

This course is simply amazing!

By Saeed E

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Sep 21, 2021

amazing lectures and materials

By Joanna C

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Oct 18, 2017

Well paced, interesting course

By Valeria G A

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Nov 28, 2023

really good, loved the videos

By Shirley K

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Jul 30, 2020

such a fun course.! thank you

By Talha R

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Sep 9, 2019

Amazing course, enlightening.

By Dragutin R

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Oct 20, 2017

Just what I needed.

Thank you.

By Kuznichenko S

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May 14, 2020

I am glad study this course!

By jennifer c

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Feb 11, 2017

Engaging and well presented.

By Orlando N

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Jun 6, 2024

Fue un recorrido motivador

By MANUEL A K M

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May 29, 2020

Muy buen curso, excelente

By Edwin K

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Jul 13, 2016

Good introductory course.