phi2pam plato and nietzsche
PLATO NIETZSCHE AND THE MEANING OF BEING
PHI2PAM
2017
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.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorGeorge Vassilacopoulos
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites One 15 credit point philosophy subject or 30 credit points from within ASSC or by approval of the subject coordinator.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects PHI3PAM
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | The Republic | Prescribed | Plato | Penguin |
| Readings | Thus Spoke Zarathustra (Parts 1 & 2 ) | Prescribed | Nietzsche | Penguin |
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, use your notes to contriute to on-line forum discussions.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
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:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
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:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2017, Winter semester, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorGeorge Vassilacopoulos
Class requirements
Block ModeWeek: 27 - 28
Eight 2.0 hours block mode other recurrence on weekdays during the day from week 27 to week 28 and delivered via blended.
"Monday to Thursday"
Directed ReadingWeek: 27 - 28
One 2.0 hours directed reading per study period on any day including weekend during the day from week 27 to week 28 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task 1 Blog posts and replies to other students (1600 words) | 40 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| Task 2: Staged research essay stage one: annotated bibliography and proposal (800 words) | 20 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| Task 2 Staged research essay stage two: Essay (1600) | 40 | 01, 02, 03 |