Socrates, Plato, & Aristotle: An Introduction to the Big 3 Greek Philosophers
Who were they, what did they teach, and what do you need to know?
Clark Vandeventer
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(653)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. These guys were a big deal, but why? Knowing something about these philosophers is foundational to a liberal arts education. This is basic humanities. I want to help you understand them and be able to talk about them intelligently. Who were they, what did they teach, and what do you need to know? What are some basic theological terms, particularly ones related to Greek philosophy? Socrates What were his basic teachings? Who were his students? What's the "Socratic Method?" Plato We'll learn about The Allegory of the Cave and Plato's basic philosophical tenets? Aristotle How did Aristotle differ from Plato? What was the Lyceum? What did Aristotle have to do with Alexander the Great? Class is interactive. Students are invited to discuss the ideas presented and interact in a way that by the end of class they know the material well enough that they could explain Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle to someone else.
Learning Goals
Students will know why these three people are important figures in history and their basic teachings. By the end of the class, they should be able to explain Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle to someone who knows nothing about them.
Other Details
Supply List
I'll provide students with my class notes, which include links for additional research and reading.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
The Apology by Plato
The Republic by Plato
The Basic Works of Aristotle by Aristotle
The Cave and the Light: Plato Versus Aristotle, and the Struggle for the Soul of Western Civilization by Arthur Herman
More helpful links:
Socrates, Father of Western Philosophy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyIKayNXTPY
The Apology
http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/apology.html
Background Notes: https://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/apology/summary/
Full Text: https://www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/apology/full-text/apology/
More about Socrates
https://reasonandmeaning.com/2019/03/18/summary-of-socrates-teachings/
Raphael, School of Athens Painting
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/early-europe-and-colonial-americas/renaissance-art-europe-ap/a/raphael-school-of-athens
Plato’s Best and Worst Ideas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLesc5lITvo
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RWOpQXTltA
Joined December, 2019
4.8
653reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
We live in a big and fascinating world and one of my goals with my classes is to help kids develop an interest and appreciation for the world around them and different cultures. My classes draw from my own experiences as a world traveler. I've visited and lived abroad in seventeen countries. I'm a lifelong student of history and I'm also the former deputy director of the historic home of President Ronald Reagan. In 2010 was a candidate for United States Congress. Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Indiana Wesleyan Unviersity with an emphasis in philosophy.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$10
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 116 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-15 learners per class
