For more than two millennia, philosophers have grappled with life's most profound and "eternal" questions. It is easy to forget, however, that these questions about fundamental issues like justice, injustice, virtue, vice, or happiness were not always eternal. They once had to be asked for the first time. This was a step that could place the inquirer beyond the boundaries of the law. And the Athenian citizen and philosopher who took that courageous step in the 5th century B.C. was Socrates. In this intellectually vibrant - yet crystal-clear and accessible - series of 36 lectures, an award-winning teacher provides you with a detailed analysis of the golden age of Athenian philosophy and the philosophical consequences of the philosopher's famed "Socratic Turn": his veering away from philosophy's previous concerns with the scientific study of nature and the physical world and toward the scrutiny of moral opinion. After Socrates, philosophy would never be the same. You learn that much of Socrates's philosophy is captured in the writings of his contemporaries and followers, including not just Plato and Aristotle, but also figures like Xenophon, a great thinker and military commander, and the comic playwright Aristophanes. Professor Bartlett takes you through Plato's most important dialogues - where Socrates is the protagonist - and shows how they convey the core of Socrates's philosophy. He then moves on to Aristotle, who did more than anyone to establish a comprehensive system of philosophy in the West, producing work encompassing morality, politics, aesthetics, logic, science, rhetoric, theology, metaphysics, and more.
C**R
Great courses from a terrific lecturer and very knowledgeable professor. An excellent value, highly recommended!!!
I took the time to listen to the wonderful lectures and professor was very informative, knowledgeable, and thoughtful. Lectures were highly interesting and very thought provoking. Professor's lecture style is also engaging and highly entertaining. Professor is a very talented speaker. I highly recommend these lectures and accompanying coursebook outline guide and lecture DVD's which I found to be an overall excellent value for the purchase price. I have purchased many other of these courses and intend to glean a lot more knowledge and value from all of them.
C**.
Not the Most Exciting Great Course...
Very dry course. This one takes extra effort to get through.
J**.
Five Stars
GOOD
G**O
Bartlett is a poor thinker or better described as mediocre
Mr. Bartlett is a poor thinker or better described as mediocre. Biased fully since he shows the us government as a truly democratic country and we know it is not; many great leaders have been killed/assassinated by interest and sets the interest of the wealthy. Also, his lectures show the lack of wanting to clearly expose his thought: In his presentation he does not present any kind of written/graphical representations. No teaching creativity whatsoever.I have no clue how Mr. Bartlett got his Ph.D and much less, how he is supposed to be such a distinguished scholar. I don't mean I am an exceptional thinker by all means, but I don't claim to be so. I guess Mr. Bartlett is the transparent example of the mediocrity we are living in: Education is no longer a goal to attain and show proof of but simply a state of life obtained by corruption in the educational system.
T**N
Great introduction to three great Greek philosophers
Just started this course and so far it does what I want-an introduction to Socrates, Plato and Aristotle with side journeys to other philosophers. The DVD is being used at a library as a lecture-discussion series over the next two years. So far, everyone has liked the lectures and followup discussions. You can do extra reading if you have the time and energy or just listen to the lecture and think about them. I expect to have a much more detailed understanding about the classical philosophers and intend to finally read some of their works. I would recommend it for anyone who wants a comprehensive thought-provoking introduction to the three great Greek philosophers. No background in history, philosophy or Greek needed. Having had some college level philosophy courses, I consider this the equal of any of them.
T**
Only Part Three
We have not listened to this - so I am unable to comment on the content. Just to make buyers aware that this is not the entire course when purchased. There are two CD's included in this which is part three of the course. This is a shame as we were really looking forward to working through this series.
Trustpilot
2 months ago
2 weeks ago
