PLATO NIETZSCHE AND THE MEANING OF BEING
PHI2PAM
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
It has been said that all western philosophy is a footnote to Plato. In his masterpiece, The Republic, Plato addresses some of the most fundamental questions of human existence: what is it to be? What is the place of human beings in the world? What does it mean to know? What is the nature of reality? Surprisingly, Plato's strategy is to invite us to participate, along with his teacher Socrates, in a thought experiment aimed at designing a just society. In the process of asking what justice is we discover answers to the meaning and conditions of our being in the cosmos. In this subject we will first trace Plato's philosophical journey and then consider Nietzsche's radical challenge to the Platonic tradition, which he considered to be an expression of nihilism, as well as his ideal of the life affirming reevaluation of all values.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: George Vassilacopoulos
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: One 15 credit point philosophy subject or 30 Humanities credit points or by approval of the subject coordinator.
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: PHI3PAM
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Subject Reader | Prescribed | N/A | N/A |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Interpret and critically compare Plato and Nietzsche's claims about truth or knowledge acquisition.
- Activities:
- Identify and make a note of one idea or claim in the set texts that you believe reveals the authors' view on the question, bring your notes to class and compare your impression with those of the others in the group.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
02. Locate and review an idea or line of argument from Greek or nihilist thought and demonstrate your understanding of the issues underlying its relevance today.
- Activities:
- Choose one of the discussion questions from LMS subject resources, think about the question, re-read the relevant set text, conduct a library/internet search and write your own response.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
03. Outline and examine one of Plato or Nietzsche's claims about truth, justice or knowledge acquisition.
- Activities:
- After reading the assigned passage, identify the main argument and set out its premises and conclusion in standard form.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness(Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Writing(Writing)
Melbourne, 2015, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: George Vassilacopoulos
Class requirements
Lecture/SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture/seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
Collaborative Based LearningWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours collaborative based learning every three weeks on any day including weekend during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay 2000 words | 50 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| Essay 2000 words | 50 | 01, 02, 03 |