Course: Reading Plato's dialogues

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Course title Reading Plato's dialogues
Course code KFHS/B177
Organizational form of instruction Seminary
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 2
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Konrádová Veronika, Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
The content of the seminar reading of the Euthyphro is as follows: 1. Introduction: the style of Plato's writing; dialogue structure. 2. The introductory passage and its significance for the thematic layout of the dialogue (Euthyphr. 2a1-5c5). 3. What is "piety", the terms hosion and eusebeia, the first definition (Euthyphr. 5c6-6e10). 4. ti esti; eidos and idea in Platonic dialogues, characteristic methods of definition dialogues. 5. The pious as the god-beloved: the first version (Euthyphr. 6e11-8b6). 6. The pious as the god-beloved: the second version and the refutation (Euthyphr. 8b7-11d2). 7. Piety and justice: the first and second versions (Euthyphr. 11d3-13d4). 8. Piety as a service to the gods (Euthyphr. 13d5-14b7). 9. Revised definition of piety; final aporia (Euthyphr. 14b8-15c10). 10. Conclusion of the dialogue and new questioning (Euthyphr. 15c11-16a4). 11. The importance of aporia in Plato's dialogues, elenctic methods in the dialogue. 12. Philosophical, religious and political issues of the dialogue, thematic connection with other Platonic dialogues. 13. Final summary.

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified, unspecified
Learning outcomes
The course aims to introduce students to the reading of Plato's dialogues. The course content is varied; the relevant dialogues include the Euthyphro, Ion, Laches, Hippias Minor, Hippias Major or Laches. The seminar reading of the selected dialogue focuses on a detailed examination of the dialogue structure, draws attention to the characteristic dialogical techniques (elenchos, aporia) and reveals the key philosophical topics present in the dialogue. The philosophical interpretation of the chosen text reflects contemporary Czech and international research. The work in the course is based on reading and interpreting the primary text and the study of relevant interpretations in the secondary literature. During the course, students present their papers based on selected interpretations from secondary sources.
Students can work with the primary text; they understand the structure of Platonic dialogue, they can analyze and interpret essential philosophical motives and relate these motives to the whole of Plato's philosophical thinking. They can also work with secondary literature and present the knowledge gained by reading.
Prerequisites
none

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
To obtain credit: students work out a paper in written and orally presented form, using secondary academic literature (Czech or foreign language), alternatively an essay on a given topic using primary and secondary sources. 75% participation in seminars is required.
Recommended literature
  • Havlíček, A. Ideje a zbožnost v Platónově dialogu Euthyfrón. Ústí nad Labem, 2013.
  • Jinek, J. - Jirsa, J. (eds.). Platónův dialog Euthyfrón. Praha, 2020.
  • Platón. Euthyfrón, Obrana Sókrata, Kritón. Praha, 1994.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester