Plato & Socrates: Philosophy of the Self
5 weekly sessions on campus, on Thursdays at 6 - 8pm, starting from Thursday 12 October
Overview
Who are we? Can we truly know ourselves? What does it mean to live a good life? These are among the enduring questions that Socrates and Plato posed over 2,400 years ago, and they remain as relevant today as ever.
This five-week course introduces participants to the philosophical world of Socrates and Plato through some of their most influential dialogues. Rather than treating philosophy as an abstract subject, we will explore how these thinkers challenged conventional beliefs about identity, knowledge, virtue, justice, and the examined life. Through guided discussion and close reading of selected passages, participants will discover why Socratic questioning continues to influence modern philosophy, psychology, politics, and education. Alongside historical context, we will consider how ancient ideas speak to contemporary issues of personal identity, ethical decision-making, and self-understanding. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required, only curiosity and a willingness to question familiar assumptions.
We will introduce participants to the central philosophical ideas of Socrates and Plato while building confidence in reading and discussing classical philosophical texts. Participants will gain an understanding of key concepts, including the examined life, virtue, knowledge, justice, and the nature of the self, and develop critical thinking and discussion skills that can be applied beyond the classroom.
Suitable for anyone with an interest in philosophy, history, or the enduring questions of human existence. No prior study of philosophy is required. Sessions combine short lectures with guided discussion and opportunities to reflect on the relevance of ancient philosophy to contemporary life, making the course accessible to both complete beginners and those wishing to revisit classical philosophy.
Syllabus
Week 1 – Why Socrates Still Matters
• Athens in the fifth century BCE
• The life and legacy of Socrates
• The Socratic method, the examined Life, and the Philosophy of the Self
• Reading: Apology
Week 2 – Know Yourself: Socrates, Plato and the Search for the Good Life
• What is wisdom?
• Ignorance, self-knowledge, and philosophical inquiry
• Reading: selections from Apology and Charmides
Week 3 – Socrates and Plato: Discovering the Self
• Soul, reason, and desire
• Virtue and human flourishing: Who Am I? Plato, Socrates and the Philosophy of Selfhood
• Reading: selections from Phaedo and Republic
Week 4 – Justice, Ethics, and the Good Life
• Individual and political justice
• Can virtue be taught?
• Reading: selections from Republic and Gorgias
Week 5 – Plato's Legacy Today
• Ancient philosophy and contemporary debates about identity and ethics
• What can Socrates teach us about modern life?
• Final discussion and course reflections
Course lecturer
Dr. Shereen Hamed Shaw is a Senior Lecturer and researcher at Edge Hill University’s Faculty of Education. She holds a double honours BA in English & Comparative Literature and Philosophy from AUC, an MA in Philosophy and Literature from UEA, and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Liverpool. With experience teaching across secondary, further, and higher education in the UK and the Middle East, her work bridges the gap between philosophy and education, enriching both fields. She is the author of Britishness, Identity and Belonging in Education: Social Justice in Troubling Times. (2024) Springer Nature.
Course fee
- Standard fee: £85
- Concession fee: £45