Introduction to Plato

Plato’s Euthyphro, Apology, and Crito provide an excellent introduction to Plato and philosophy. These dialogues are so accessible that they require no prior study yet are so rich that even the most experienced scholars have critically discussed them for more than two millennia. Our discussions will devote time to both the dialogues and some of the historical criticisms of them. In addition to providing the opportunity to learn about Plato and philosophy, they are intended to engage students in topics such as “Must one always obey the laws?” and “Is Socrates engaged in a religious quest?”

Required reading: Plato: Five Dialogues: Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Meno, and Phaedo, ISBN 978-0872206335.

Bruce Hauptli earned a BA in mathematics from Lawrence University and an MA and PhD in philosophy from Washington University. He is a professor emeritus of philosophy at Florida International University in Miami where he taught for thirty-nine years. Almost every semester he taught an 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 twice before for MSC, as well as seven others.