Essaykurs Form Universal and Predication in Ancient Philosophy

In this course we will try to understand and evaluate Plato's Theory of Forms and its motivations, Aristotle's criticism of that theory, and his subsequent development of his mature metaphysical theory of form and predication. Some of the questions we will be dealing with are the following: What grounds, if any, are there for thinking that there are independently existing universals? What were Plato's grounds for thinking so in his theory of Forms? How should we understand Aristotle's claim that substantial Forms are not universals? Does this mean that each substance of a given kind (e.g. each horse) has a numerically or even qualitatively distinct form? Or is substantial form somehow common to many instances of a kind of substance without being a -universal-? What ontological commitments does one take on by speaking of universals? We will read excerpts from several Platonic dialogues, such as Phaedo, Republic, Parmenides, from Aristotle's Categories and Metaphysics, as well as from Aristotle's relatively neglected short work, On Ideas. If time permits and there is interest, we will also look at more recent developments in the theory of universals. We will orient ourselves through the discussion of recent secondary literature, roughly one essay per week. Although the course will take place in English, contributions to discussion and essays can be in German. All readings will be supplied in a reader. Leistungsnachweis For credit, students must write four essays of roughly 6 pages each, which will be discussed in the obligatory Tutorium. Anmeldung (LSF) pre-registration is not necessary Zu dieser Veranstaltung gehört folgende Übung Nr. Bezeichnung SWS 10033 Übung zum Essaykurs -Form, Universal and Predication in Ancient Philosophy- 2.0 Fakultät für Philosophie, Wissenschaftstheorie und Religionswissenschaft For credit, students must write four essays of roughly 6 pages each, which will be discussed in the obligatory Tutorium. LMU München SoSe 2016 Dr. Anagnostopoulos Andreas