Fortgeschrittenenseminar und Essaykurs Ancient Psychological Theories Antike Theorien der Seele und Psychologie Seminar 2stündige Übung im Anschluss

What is a soul? How are souls related to bodies? Is there just one type of soul, or do souls differ in kind? In what sense, if any, do souls have parts? Are souls immortal, or can they come into and go out of existence? In this course we will survey ancient philosophers’ answers to these and other questions about the nature and basic operations of soul through a close reading of ancient texts in translation together with selected scholarly literature. Particular attention will be paid to the explanatory function of souls in ancient psychology and cosmology, and to systematic considerations used by ancient philosophers to argue for their preferred account of soul’s nature and constitution. This course will focus in the first instance on Plato’s and Aristotle’s theories of soul, with some attention being paid to the Presocratic antecedents of their theories as well as to subsequent developments in the Hellenistic Period (Stoics, Epicureans) and Late Antiquity (Neoplatonism). Previous coursework in ancient philosophy is recommended. All readings and discussion will be in English. Course participants should read the following article, which provides a helpful overview the topics to be discussed in the course, in advance of the first meeting: Lorenz, Hendrik, -Ancient Theories of Soul-, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2009 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = .   Fakultät für Philosophie, Wissenschaftstheorie und Religionswissenschaft Das Seminar wird in englischer Sprache stattfinden. Griechischkenntnisse sind erwünscht, aber keine zwingende Teilnahmevoraussetzung.    Dies ist ein Fortgeschrittenenseminar. Es wird zusätzlich zu dem Seminar noch ein vertiefender Lektürekurs angeboten, in dem sowohl der griechische Text als auch neuere Sekundärliteratur besprochen werden soll. Leistungsnachweis: Normalerweise Hausarbeit und Referat. Es besteht aber auch die Möglichkeit, die Leistung über vier Essays zu erbringen. Hierfür ist die Teilnahme an der weiteren einstündigen Essayübung bei Christian Pfeiffer nötig. - if the course is taken as -Essay course-: then 4 essays [9 ECTS points] - only for Philosophy Bachelor (major) and Philosophy Master students. In that case an additional essay-tutorial (1 hour) is offered by agreement (Dr. Pfeiffer). - if the course is taken as -Advanced seminar-: then term paper OR (presentation(s)+essay-/record), according to the lecturer's specification [9 ECTS-points] LMU München WiSe 1415 Pfeiffer Christian