C-1 Old Wine, New Bottles: Platonism after Plato
- Karl Kregor
- Monday: Jan 30; Feb 6, 13, 20, 27; Mar 5; 10-noon
- 6 sessions: $44
Just what is a platonic relationship? Is idealism
in politics, relationships, art, or science valuable or ultimately foolish? This class will explore Plato's claims about the good
, love, our souls' immortality, and creation, expressed in excerpts from three dialogues: Republic, Symposium, and Timaeus. Then we'll explore how these key thoughts from c. 387 BCE have been re-imagined over later centuries by Christian thinkers, medieval troubadours, and Renaissance writers, artists, and humanists. Our primary focus will be the Renaissance. We'll also question whether Neo-Platonism is still a living force. Does it continue to shape aesthetics, science, philosophy, and environmental concerns?
The course will include mini-lectures, discussion, slides, music, and readings from key texts in the history of ideas. Your packet of reading materials will be available at the Renesan office on January 10. Please read in advance the assignment for January 30.
Karl Kregor is a retired Professor of English and also taught Humanities at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. While there, he established the Interdisciplinary Humanities Section of the South Central Modern Language Association. Karl has taught many Renesan classes; the last was Plato's Republic in Spring 2011.