This seminar is on book X of Plato’s Laws. The Laws is commonly taken to be Plato’s last dialogue and book X is one of its highlights. It is a window not only to non-orthodox theological positions in Plato’s cultural milieu, but also to some of the challenges Plato perceives his philosophy to be confronted with.
The discussion in book X focuses on three so-called impious views: (1) that the gods do not exist (i.e. atheism); (2) that the gods exist but do not care about humans; (3) that the gods exist, care about humans, but can be bribed with prayers and sacrifices. These views, as Plato sees it, come with powerful arguments as well as disturbing ethical implications and social consequences. Based on a close reading of the primary text and with occasional help from secondary literature, we will discuss questions including the following ones. What, according to Plato, causes people to hold these impious views, and especially atheism, in a supposedly religious society? Is Plato reporting or has he invented these views? How does Plato argue against each of them? Would his arguments convince the intended audiences?
This seminar will primarily be in English, but contributions in German are also welcome. Knowledge of ancient Greek is not required.
- Kursverantwortliche/r: Zhixi Wang