Introduction to the History of Philosophy

Course description: The course will introduce students to key thinkers and ideas in the history of western philosophy. Since ancient philosophy is so central to this history, the first half of the course is devoted to some of its most important achievements in the work of the Pre-Socratics, Plato, and Aristotle. Attention is then turned to aspects of medieval philosophy, and the great rationalist and empiricist traditions (represented by Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz, and Locke and Hume, respectively). Lectures will also be offered on Kant, Nietzsche, and the analytic and phenomenological traditions

Teaching and learning methods: The course is lecture-based, supplemented by tutorials.

Methods of assessment and examination: Overall assessment is by written exam at the end of first semester. Mid-term assignment may be required.

Core text:

Copleston, History of Philosophy, Image Publishing

Guthrie, W. K. C., The Greek Philosophers from Thales to Aristotle, Methuen

Johnston, D., A Brief History of Philosophy, Continuum

Plato, Republic, Penguin

Russell, B., History of Western Philosophy, Routledge

Solomon, R. and Higgins, K., A Short History of Philosophy, Oxford

Stumpf, S. E., and Fieser, J., Socrates to Sartre and Beyond, McGraw Hill