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PHIL/CLAS 301
Topic: Socrates
Fall 2014
10:50-12:05 TTh
Sewall 460
Prof. Donald Morrison
Humanities 204
713-348-2714
donaldm@rice.edu
Office hours: TTh 1:302:30.
The course will focus on understanding the philosophical activity of Socrates. He never
wrote a single word of philosophy, but he is arguably the most influential and important
philosopher in history. We know Socrates mainly through the Socratic dialogues of his
pupil, Plato, and those of Xenophon, another contemporary who knew Socrates firsthand.
The reading for the course will include several of the best of Platos Socratic dialogues as
well as readings from Xenophon and from an anthology of writings by Socrates students,
The Circle of Socrates. We will consider such questions as the following: How do we
know about Socrates and his thought? What was the intellectual activity to which
Socrates devoted his life--philosophy? What is the Socratic method? What is Socratic
ignorance (i.e. the claim that he knows that he does not know)? What is Socratic irony?
What is virtue? What is Socrates theory of the good?
Course Goals:
After taking this course, student should have:
Aquired a deeper understanding of the nature of philosophy.
Improved their skills at reading an historical text.
Improved their skills at philosophical analysis and construction of arguments.
Learned the main concepts and methods of Socrates philosophizing.
Course requirements:
Regular attendance and participation.
One 5 page paper, due in class on Oct. 7.
One 10 page paper, due 5 PM on Dec. 17 (the end of exam period).
One in-class presentation.

From time to time, short ungraded homeworks and other assignments.

Components of the final grade: Final paper, 40%; midterm paper, 20%; presentation
20%, homeworks, attendance, and participation, 20%.
Note: All work must be completed in order to pass the course.
Attendance is required.
Extensions: I am sometimes willing to grant extensions of paper deadlines, for very good
reasons and only if asked in advance. Otherwise, late papers will be penalized 1/3 grade
per day.
Honor code matters:
The papers and presentations must be your own work. Ideas and evidence derived from
others (whether through conversation or by reading) must be acknowledged in a note. I
impose no style sheet for citing publications, but the reference must be complete enough
to clearly identify the source. For modern authors, cite page number; for ancient authors,
use the standard system for citing that author. (These will be explained as we go along).
Students with disabilities
Any student with a documented disability needing academic
adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with me
during the first two weeks of class. All discussions will
remain confidential. Students with disabilities should also
contact Disability Support Services.
Books:
Plato, Complete Works, ed. John Cooper, Hackett (This edition of Platos text is
required.)
The Circle of Socrates, ed. G. Boys-Stones and C. Rowe, Hackett (Circle)

DAILY TOPICS, READINGS, AND ASSIGNMENTS

Aug. 26:

Introduction: who was Socrates? why is he important? why is he

interesting?

Aug. 28:

Plato, Apology of Socrates

The Apology as historical artifact: what is it? what does it represent?

The sources for Socrates: Plato and other writers of Socratic discourses;
the developmental theory of Platos dialogues
Socrates philosophical mission. Socrates life as a moral ideal.
Sept. 2:

Plato, Apology of Socrates

Sept. 4:

Xenophon, Memorabilia 1.1-2, Apology of Socrates

Plato, Phaedo 115b 118a: Socrates death

Sept. 9:

Circle, chapter 4, Body and Soul

Socratic discourse: method, definition, argument, examination

Sept. 11:

Plato, Euthyphro; Xenophon, Memorabilia 4.6.

Sept. 16:

NO CLASS.

Sept. 19:

Plato, Crito.

Sept. 23:

Plato, Crito

The sophists and the problem of expertise

Sept. 25:

Plato, Hippias Minor; Xenophon, Memorabilia 4.4

Socrates craft analogy, the teaching of virtue, and Socratic moral theory
Sept. 30:

Circle, chapter 2, Happiness and the Good

Oct. 2:

Plato, Laches

Oct. 7:

Plato, Charmides
First paper due in class.

Oct. 9:

Plato, Lysis

Oct. 14:

NO CLASS - recess

Oct. 16:

Continued discussion of Laches, Charmides, Lysis

Oct. 21:

Plato, Euthydemus

Oct. 23:

Plato, Protagoras; Circle, chapter 3, Virtue and Pleasure

Oct. 28:

Plato, Protagoras

Socrates erotic expertise

Oct. 30:

Plato, Symposium 212c-223d (Alcibiades speech); Circle, chapter 6, The

Erotic Socrates.

Nov. 4:

Xenophon, Memorabilia 4.2: refutation of Euthydemus

Nov. 6:

NO CLASS

Socrates on religion and the divine

Nov. 11:

Circle, chapter 9, God and the World

Nov. 18:

Circle, chapter 10, Lesser divinities and Socrates Sign

Nov. 20:

Plato, Republic 10

Socrates, the state, and virtue

Nov. 25:

Plato, Republic 1

Nov. 27:

No class: Thanksgiving

Dec. 2:

Plato, Gorgias

Dec. 4:

Plato, Gorgias