Introduction to Philosophy

Plato’s Euthyphro, Apology, and Crito provide an excellent introduction to philosophy. These dialogues (55 pages of reading) are so accessible that they require no prior study, yet they are so rich that even the most experienced scholars have critically discussed them for more than two millennia. Throughout the world, first philosophy courses often begin with these works. Our discussions will devote time to both the dialogues and historical criticisms of them. In addition to helping learn about philosophy, the course is designed to engage students in philosophical discussions. 

Plato, Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, and Phaedo (Second Edition) trans. G.M.A. Grube, rev’d John M. Cooper (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2002),  ISBN: 978-0872206335. 

Bruce Hauptli earned a BA in mathematics from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI (1970); and an MA and PhD in philosophy from Washington University in St Louis, MO (1973 & 1974). He is an Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Florida International University in Miami, FL (The State University of Florida in Miami) where he taught for 39 years. Almost every semester Hauptli enjoyed teaching a historically themed introductory philosophy course to undergraduates as part of the University’s core curriculum and used these dialogues to get the ball rolling. He has taught this course three times for MSC, as well as seven others. Having retired in Bath in 2015, he enjoys continuing to introduce interested individuals to philosophy.