You'll explore the ideas of ancient Greek thinkers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The course covers metaphysics, ethics, politics, and epistemology from a Greek perspective. You'll dive into concepts like the nature of reality, virtue, justice, and how we acquire knowledge. It's all about understanding the foundations of Western philosophy.

Is Greek Philosophy hard?

Greek Philosophy can be pretty challenging. The concepts are often abstract and the language can be dense. But don't let that scare you off. Once you get the hang of it, it's actually super interesting. The key is to stay on top of the readings and participate in class discussions. It's not a breeze, but it's definitely doable.

Tips for taking Greek Philosophy in college

Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
Read the texts slowly and carefully - don't rush through Plato's Republic
Engage in class discussions - talking about ideas helps you understand them
Make connections between different philosophers' ideas
Use Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy for extra explanations
Watch "The Good Place" for fun examples of ethical dilemmas
Try to apply ancient concepts to modern issues
Form a study group to discuss complex ideas

Common pre-requisites for Greek Philosophy

Introduction to Philosophy: This course gives you a broad overview of philosophical concepts and methods. It's a great foundation for diving deeper into Greek thought.
Logic: You'll learn about valid arguments and reasoning structures. This helps a ton when analyzing complex Greek philosophical arguments.

Classes similar to Greek Philosophy

Ancient Roman Philosophy: Explores the ideas of Roman thinkers like Cicero and Seneca. It's a great follow-up to Greek Philosophy.
Medieval Philosophy: Covers the philosophical traditions that developed after ancient Greece. You'll see how Greek ideas influenced later thinkers.
History of Western Philosophy: Gives a broader overview of philosophical thought from ancient times to the present. It puts Greek philosophy in a larger context.
Political Philosophy: Dives deep into theories of government and justice. You'll see how Greek ideas about politics still influence us today.

Philosophy: Focuses on critical thinking, logic, and big questions about existence and morality. You'll study a wide range of philosophical traditions and learn to construct and analyze arguments.
Classics: Involves studying the languages, literature, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. You'll gain a deep understanding of the context in which Greek philosophy developed.
Political Science: Examines political systems, theories, and behaviors. Greek political thought, especially from Plato and Aristotle, forms a foundation for many modern political ideas.

What can you do with a degree in Greek Philosophy?

Law: Many philosophy grads go into law. The critical thinking and argument analysis skills you learn are perfect for legal work.
Education: You could teach philosophy or related subjects at high school or college level. Sharing complex ideas in understandable ways is a key skill from studying Greek philosophy.
Writing and Journalism: The clear communication skills you develop are great for writing careers. You'll be able to explain complex ideas in accessible ways.
Business Consulting: Companies value the problem-solving and critical thinking skills philosophy grads bring. You'll be able to approach business challenges from unique angles.