(in Polish) Wizerunek Sokratesa w filozofii starożytnej

elective monographs

(in Polish) dowolny kurs z zakresu filozofii

Socrates had a significant impact on European philosophy, and yet it is not certain what views he represented. This paradox results from the fact that the earliest sources relating to Socrates are inconsistent. During the lecture, we will look at the images of Socrates constructed by the Athenian comedians (Aristophanes, Ameipsias, Eupolis) and early Socratic literature, we will consider Socrates' connections with the philosophy of nature (Archelaus), Greek tragedy (Euripides) and the Sophists, we will trace the influence of Socrates on the ancient philosophy of later times. The figure of Socrates will be shown in the context of Greek philosophy and culture in times of breakthrough, when Athens becomes a political power and then is defeated in the Peloponnesian War.

Socrates had a significant impact on European philosophy, and yet it is not certain what views he represented. This paradox results from the fact that the earliest sources relating to Socrates are inconsistent. During the lecture, we will look at the images of Socrates constructed by the Athenian comedians (Aristophanes, Ameipsias, Eupolis) and early Socratic literature, we will consider Socrates' connections with the philosophy of nature (Archelaus), Greek tragedy (Euripides) and the Sophists, we will trace the influence of Socrates on the ancient philosophy of later times. The figure of Socrates will be shown in the context of Greek philosophy and culture in times of breakthrough, when Athens becomes a political power and then is defeated in the Peloponnesian War.

In modern research, F. Schleiermacher posed the question to what extent it would be possible to reconstruct the views of the historical Socrates on the basis of incomplete and inconsistent testimonies. In response, a number of proposals appeared, from an attempt to indicate the original views of Socrates (e.g. J. Burnet) to recognizing all Socratic literature as a mere literary fiction (e.g. O. Gigon).

During the lecture, we will look at the main themes and controversies that emerge from modern research on the figure of Socrates. We will analyze key biographical and philosophical issues and trace the most important ancient sources relating to Socrates. As the figure of Socrates will be placed in the context of classical times, the lecture can be treated as a deepening and systematization of knowledge about the philosophy of this period.

Furthermore, we will look at the presence of Socrates in ancient philosophy and literature: among the Cynics, Epicureans, Stoics and Neoplatonists, and so on, as well as the reception of Socrates in later times.

Sources:

Arystofanes, Komedie (wybór, różne przekłady)

Eurypides, Tragedie (wybór, różne przekłady)

Komedia grecka od Epicharma do Menandra, oprac. K. Bartol, J. Danielewicz, Warszawa 2011.

Ksenofont, Pisma sokratyczne, tłum. L. Joachimowicz, Warszawa 1967.

Platon, Dialogi (wybór, różne przekłady)

Tukidydes, Wojna peloponeska, tłum. K. Kumaniecki, Wrocław 1991.

Secondary texts:

Brill’s Companion to the Reception of Socrates, ed Ch. Moore, Leiden/Boston 2019.

A Companion to Socrates, ed. S. Ahbel-Rappe, R. Kamtekar, Blackwell Publishing 2006.

Chroust A.-H., Socrates, Man and Myth. The two Socratic Apologies by Xenophon, Notre Dame 1957.

Gigon O., Socrate. La sua immagine nella letteratura e nella storia, Milano 2015.

Guthrie W.K.C., Sokrates, tłum. K. Łapiński, S. Żuławski, Warszawa 2000.

Hadot P., Filozofia jako ćwiczenie duchowe, tłum. P. Domański, Warszawa 2003.

Kahn Ch., Platon i dialog sokratyczny. Wykorzystanie literackiej formy na użytek filozofii, tłum. M. Filipczuk, Warszawa 2018.

Patocka J., Sokrates. Wykłady z filozofii antycznej, tłum. K. Urbaniec, J. Bajger, Warszawa 2022.

Remembering Socrates. Philosophical Essays, ed. L. Judson, V. Karasmanis, Oxford 2006.

Socrates from Antiquity to the Enlightenment, v. 1; Socrates in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, v. 2, ed M. Trapp, London/New York, Routledge 2007.

The Trial and Execution of Socrates. Sources and Controversies, ed. Th. C. Brickhouse, N. D. Smith, Oxford Univ. Press 2002

Vlastos G., Socrates. Ironist and moral philosopher, Cambridge 1991.

Acquired knowledge:

- the student understands the historical character of the formation of philosophical ideas;

- the student knows philosophical terminology in Polish at a advanced level in a selected philosophical subdiscipline;

Acquired skills:

- the student correctly applies acquired philosophical terminology;

- the student is able to describe the relationship between the formation of philosophical ideas and social and cultural processes;

Acquired social competences:

- the student is open to new ideas and ready to change opinions in the light of available data and arguments;

- the student is aware of the importance of the European philosophical heritage for understanding social and cultural processes and is aware of the responsibility for its preservation.

Written final exam (based on the content of the lecture)

Number of absences: 2