From Ancient to Modern Philosophy

Explore the core ideas of influential Western philosophers through a chronological journey, from the pre-Socratics to the 20th century. This lecture series delves into the evolution of thought, examining how foundational concepts shaped our understanding of the world.

Discover the groundbreaking contributions of the pre-Socratics, tracing their progression from early notions of being and becoming to Democritus's atomic theory, a precursor to modern chemistry.

Journey through the ethical systems of the Stoics, Cynics, and Epicureans who flourished in Greece and Rome, building upon the ideas of their predecessors. We’ll analyze Plato's Republic, a profoundly impactful work exploring justice, society, and ideal governance.

Understand Aristotle's distinct metaphysical system, a departure from Plato's idealism, and its subsequent influence on Thomas Aquinas, who integrated Aristotelian thought with Christian theology.

Delve into the foundations of modern political philosophy with examinations of Machiavelli and Hobbes, pioneers in understanding power, governance, and the nature of the state.

Learn about René Descartes, the father of modern philosophy, and his development of rationalism, a powerful influence on mathematics and the scientific revolution. Explore the contrasting perspectives of rationalists (Descartes, Spinoza, Plato) who emphasized deductive reasoning, and British empiricists (Bacon, Locke, Berkeley, Hume) who championed sensory experience as the source of knowledge.

Analyze the debates between realism (Bacon & Locke) and idealism (Berkeley), and Immanuel Kant's revolutionary transcendental idealism, a synthesis attempting to reconcile these opposing viewpoints.

Examine Arthur Schopenhauer's engagement with Kant, his concept of "the will," and its role as the "thing-in-itself." Understand how Friedrich Nietzsche transformed Schopenhauer's "will" into the concept of "will to power," and Sigmund Freud interpreted it as a "will to pleasure."

Finally, explore the emergence of existentialism in the 20th century with Martin Heidegger, marking a new era in philosophical inquiry.

This course offers 16 hours of lectures and encourages thoughtful discussion of these enduring philosophical concepts. No quizzes or assignments are required. Join us as we explore the history of ideas and grapple with fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and the human condition.