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

4.8
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1,475 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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201 - 225 of 440 Reviews for Ancient Philosophy: Plato & His Predecessors

By Carl A

Aug 7, 2020

This course served as an avenue for me to improve especially in terms of reading texts. :)

By Cees O

Mar 29, 2020

I was impressed by the quality of the teachings and especially the instructor: excellent!!

By Dimitris P

Aug 31, 2016

An excellent introductory course to Plato. Gave me great insights to his works. Thank you!

By Monika L

Apr 2, 2023

Excellent course! Interesting, informative, challenging, and fun. Terrific professor!

By 18_12TH2_Bùi M N

Nov 28, 2021

Excellent course that provides a comprehensive view on Plato's Ancient Philosophy.

By Juan L P B

Feb 24, 2019

Aprendí mucho con éste curso recomendable para quien se interese por la filosofía.

By Jessica D O F

May 18, 2020

El curso es muy bueno, te ayuda a entender conceptos tan básicos sobre filosofía

By Sergey A

May 13, 2018

Short but well thought and coincide class for Plato and presocratics philosophy.

By Ankur K B K D

Aug 7, 2020

Very thankful to Dr Meyers and team for this course. She's a brilliant speaker.

By Paul C

Mar 8, 2017

Excellent. Clear and accessible explanation of the Plato's forms and shadows.

By Rense L

Mar 30, 2016

Excellent professor, good presentation. Some quizzes are too short, really ...

By mansurni a

Mar 16, 2016

awesome course

from this course i understand deeper about philosophy of greece

By Deleted A

Jan 1, 2018

This course is very informative and it is my first time applying this course.

By Leon H

Aug 26, 2020

A good introduction to the way of thinking of Plao and his contemporairies..

By Mauricio A C Á

May 25, 2023

Excelente curso. La profesora explica muy bien, fue mejor de lo que esperé.

By 王若寒

Sep 13, 2016

A systematic and informative course to start with ancient Greek philosophy.

By Deleted A

Apr 16, 2016

This is one of my top three favorite courses I've taken on Coursera so far!

By Niran R

Apr 22, 2020

I loved the delivery, content and brevity to keep me interested throughout

By Dave C

Feb 19, 2018

Great course led by an impassioned professor. Looking forward to part two!

By Shikhar

Mar 15, 2016

An excellent platform for attaining "wisdom" in its rawest form...Love it!

By Levan K

Mar 10, 2016

Great introduction to ancient philosophy. Now we need an advanced course!

By Christiana T M

Apr 8, 2021

Fabulous!!!! Susan kept classes interesting and also with broad content.

By Torsten P

Nov 16, 2020

Brilliant course, wish I had learned some of this in school or college

By Nguyen T T K

Jan 19, 2017

This course sucessfully introduced me to acient philosophy. I love it!

By Saúl A

Jan 30, 2017

This is a very interesting and complete course. Totally recomendable.