Phi 296 - Spring 2026

Main Course Page

Syllabus (Updated 1/22/26)

Class Notes (Updated 2/15/26, will be updated throughout semester)

READINGS:

Plato: (Benjamin Jowett, 1871 translation)

  1. Republic, Book II: The Ring of Gyges – 

  2. Republic, Book VI: The Philosopher-King –

  3. Republic, Book VII: Allegory of the Cave –

  4. Apology: Defense Speech excerpt – 

Aristotle: 

  1. Physics, Book 2, parts 1-3 

  2. Nicomachean Ethics, Book I

  3. Politics, Book 4 section 1-5 

Epicureans/Stoics:

 Plotinus: Index for exact text 

  1.   The One as the First Principle —(Second Ennead, book 9)  https://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/plotenn/enn502.htm

  2.   The One beyond Thought — (Fifth Ennead, book 6) https://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/plotenn/enn503.htm

  3.   Emanation from the One —(Fifth Ennead, book 2) https://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/plotenn/enn504.htm

  4.   The Hierarchy of Reality —(Fifth Ennead, book 4) https://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/plotenn/enn501.htm  

  5.   The Soul’s Descent — (Fourth Ennead, book 8) https://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/plotenn/enn408.htm

  6.  Return to the One —(Fifth Ennead, Book 1)  https://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/plotenn/enn609.htm 

  7. The Vision of the Good —( Ennead CCEL web text)https://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/plotenn/enn609.htm