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Instructions

The paper (3-5 pages long) is due Wed., Dec. 10, in my office, Gates-Blake 228, by 4:30pm. Gates-Blake is the building connected to Cobb. (I am setting the 4:30pm limit mostly because Gates-Blake gets locked at some point in the evening--I'm not sure exactly when.)


As in the case of the other papers: the below topics are suggestions. If you want to write on another topic, feel free to do so. It might be a good idea, however, in that case, to check with me and/or Justin first.


There are two difficult but important distinctions which can potentially be drawn between Socrates and Plato: (1) between Plato's Socrates and Socrates as he really was; (2) between Plato's character Socrates and Plato himself. I use the phrase Plato and/or Socrates below to indicate that you might want to make either or both of these distinctions. (For the purposes of distinction (1), data from Aristophanes could obviously be important, though there might be other ways of guessing. I actually recommend against trying to do much with this one, however.) (Note also that Plato might not always portray Socrates in the same way--Socrates in the Apology, in the Ion, in the Meno, in the Republic, might all be different.)


All of the below topics require you to use material from both Plato and Aristotle. As I just mentioned, Aristophanes could be important as well. In addition, all of the topics allow (though none require) the use of Homer. But even if you do use the Clouds and/or the Iliad, please make sure that both Plato and Aristotle play an important role in your paper.


With some of the below topics you may be tempted to present mostly your own views about some subject. Try to focus more on Plato and/or Socrates and Aristotle--which is not to say that you can or should keep your own opinions entirely out of it.


Refer to Plato by Stephanus numbers and Aristotle by Becker numbers. As before, use book and line number for Homer and line numbers for Aristophanes. In all these cases, you need give information about the translation you used only if it's different from the one I ordered. Once again, you need give full bibliographical references only if you for some reason bring in an outside source.


next up previous
Next: Suggested Topics Up: HUMA 11500, Autumn 2003, Previous: HUMA 11500, Autumn 2003,
Abe Stone 2005-09-28