The Pre-Socratics: The Origins of Western Philosophy

Studying Philosophy is one of the greatest adventures the human spirit can experience. I say this from personal experience. Learning about the birth of philosophy gives us a vital foundation for understanding how philosophical problems have developed throughout Western history.

Becoming aware of the human questions that surround us-and discovering how our very being is deeply embedded in the history of Western thought-is a fascinating experience. The study of the History of Philosophy offers us knowledge and understanding of how thought has evolved. As this knowledge becomes part of us, it puts us in a position to glimpse the inner labyrinths of the human soul and the society around us.

The thought of Classical Greece is one of the cradles of Western Culture. We are so deeply connected to, and our lives so influenced by, what happened during that historical period that returning to it becomes a necessity of the human spirit. This philosophy course is designed to show the reasons for and importance of the history of philosophy, the nature of this field of study, and the birth of philosophy from its very beginnings in Ancient Greece.

The course is based on the work of English historian of philosophy Frederick Copleston, S. J. , as well as the reflections and contributions of Xavier Zubiri, Eric Voegelin, and Anthony Kenny.