The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with several of the major themes in classical Western philosophical thought and to provide an overview of their historical development.  What is real?  What can we know?  What is the basis of a good life and a just society?  We will examine these questions and various answers to them through reading excerpts from the works of some of the great philosophers in chronological order, from the ancient to the modern period.  We will also pay particular attention to the different styles and methods of philosophical argument.  Students will be encouraged not only to master the material itself but also to develop their own critical and philosophical skills.  The format of this course will be a mixture of lecture and discussion. 

TEXT: Classics of Western Philosophy, Steven M. Cahn, ed.