(Recorded Course) Plato: The Trial and Death of Socrates with Julian Ahlquist

Through Plato’s famous short works, learn Socrates’ ideas that influenced Western thinking -- including moral obligation, citizenship, the soul, and the meaning of life.

How to get the most out of Plato: The Trial and Death of Socrates with Julian Ahlquist:

  • First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.

  • Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session.

  • Read assignments before class meetings

  • Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.

  • Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Total Classes: 12

Duration: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: None. However, the course "Plato: An Introductory Reading" is recommended.

Suggested Grade Level: 10th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: 1 full semester Philosophy, Ancient Philosophy, or Ethics

Instructor: Julian Ahlquist

Instructor Email:  julian.ahlquist@gmail.com

Course Description: There’s a reason they killed Socrates -- No one likes to have their principles questioned! Are you ready to challenge yourself and ask the hard questions? In this course we will read four famous short works by the philosopher Plato, namely, Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, and Phaedo, which recount the condemnation and execution of the philosopher Socrates, as well as the philosophical conversations he allegedly had in his last days. The topics they cover range from matters of moral obligation, citizenship, the soul, and the meaning of life, heavily influencing the history of western thought. Class lectures and discussions will cover the texts in careful detail so students have enough opportunity to grow more accustomed to reading philosophy.

Course Outline:

  • Week 1 - Introduction

  • Week 2 through 3 - Euthyphro: Socrates before his trial (2a-9c)

  • Week 4 through 6 - Apology: Socrates during his trial (17a-42a)

  • Week 7 through 8 - Crito: Socrates in jail (43a-54e)

  • Week 9 through 12 - Phaedo: Socrates at his execution (57a-118a)

Course Materials:

Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, Phaedo by Plato, translated by G.M.A. Grube, revised by John M. Cooper (Hackett) ISBN-10: 0872206335 / ISBN-13: 978-0872206335

OR

More expensive option (However, a very good deal, especially if you plan to read other works by Plato): Plato: Complete Works by Plato, edited by John M. Cooper and D.S. Hutchinson (Hackett) ISBN-10: 0872203492 / ISBN-13: 978-0872203495

Note: Get the printed versions because electronic versions might lack the Stephanus numbering in the margins, which this course uses to assign the readings.

Homework: Homework will involve daily reading assignments and answering open-book review questions. There will also be a closed-book midterm and final exam. An answer key is not provided. Quizzes are automatically graded.