Phil. 25: History of Ancient Philosophy

Dr. Justin

Exam I

Part I: Due at the time noted on the course calendar and put into the Phil. 25 drop box, which is outside of my office: Mendocino 3024..  Write a well-organized, thoughtful essay on the following topic.  It is worth 60 points. Late submissions will be substantially penalized and must be time-stamped. Otherwise, the procedure noted on the syllabus under "Late Assignments" will be followed. NOTE WELL:  If the essay does not follow the format of the Paper Writing Guidelines, then the essay grade will be substantially lowered. The paper writing guidelines document is accessible from the course materials page of the course.

Pre-Socratic philosophers offer differing explanations of the source and/or real nature of the natural world. Select two PreSocratics, one from each of the two groups that follow.  In the case of both:

a. State the philosopher’s view of the source or true nature of the natural world?

b. Briefly explain the reason, evidence or examples that the philosopher gives or uses to support his view of the source or true nature of the natural world.  Give a quote or two from the text to show that the philosopher has in fact maintained the view that you attribute to him.

c. Briefly explain how the philosopher’s view improves on at least one aspect of a view that was proposed by an earlier pre-Socratic.

d. Note:  Choose one philosopher from each group.  Do NOT write on two philosophers from the same group.

Group I                          Group II

Anaximander                           Heraclitus

Anaximenes                             Parmenides

Part II: Answer 4 out of the 5 following questions (40%).  Be sure to answer each part of the question.  Staple the answers to Part II separately.  Hand in along with your essay. 

1. How was the approach of the Milesians different from the mythical believers who proceeded them in trying to find answer to the question “What is the source of the natural world?”  “What kind of evidence did the Milesians favor that set them apart from the mythical believers?”

2. Why did water strike Thales as a good candidate for the first and originating element of the natural world?.

3. How do the two following “river fragments” differ in the view that each presents of the nature of a river?

(a) “And likening existing things to the stream of a river Heraclitus says that you cannot step twice into the same river.” (Plato, Cratylus 402a)

(b) “Upon those that step into the same rivers different and different waters flow.” (Fragment 12)

In light of class discussion of Heraclitus’ philosophy, which of these fragments seems better to accord with Heraclitus’ understanding of the nature of the natural world? Explain

4. In what way does the approach to the natural world favored by the atomists remain true to the Parmenidean principle that there is no coming to be or perishing?  Explain

5. How do the Atomists attempt to preserve the existence of empty space?  How do the Atomists explain the emergence of compounds for their basic elements?