Course Details

980: Sophists

July 8 and 10
9:45 AM - 11:15 AM
In-Person

The purpose of this course is to explore the ideas of the Sophists.  We will begin with Presocratic Xenophanes, who is difficult to classify, but who has more in common with the Sophists than with the other Presocratics.  Xenophanes will then be followed by Protagoras, Gorgias, Antiphon, and Alcidamas. This is the second of a two-part course, the first of which is the Presocratics, to be presented in a June mini.  But you can take this course without signing up for the other one; it in no way presupposes the Presocratics as a prerequisite.


View Syllabus

Class Type: Lecture and Discussion

Class Format: In-Person

Hours of Reading: 1-2 hours/session

Study Group Leader(s):

Don Ross

Don Ross received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Wake Forest University in 1970, his master's from the University of Iowa in 1972, and his doctorate from the University of Chicago in 1979. His publications include articles on ancient and medieval philosophy. He has also done work in Asian and modern European philosophy.

Reading List:

Early Greek Philosophy (Barnes (ed.)) | 2001: Penguin | ISBN: 9780140448153 | Required
The Greek Sophists (Dillon & Gergel (eds.)) | 2003: Penguin | ISBN: 9780140436891 | Required