The Birth of Western Philosophy: Plato and Aristotle (Portable Professor Series)

A reviewer

Having read Plato and enjoying it very much, I looked forward to these lectures. Unfortunately, this professor's style is very pedantic and redundant. He must have used the phrase 'in other words' more than 100 times. I kid you not. He does not seem to be able to convey the ideas and concepts of Plato and Aristotle clearly. I found it very easy to read Plato's Republic. This professor seemed to be just filling time and making the texts seem much harder than they are. I would avoid these lectures and just read up on Plato and Aristotle for yourself.

Between a Plato and an Aristotle

Granted, this man's voice could lull God to sleep however, his topic is as difficult as it often is subtle. In all fairness, Kosman knows his material inside out. My guess is that the material was not easy for him to learn and tease out of the Greek texts. So be prepared to sweat. Prof. Kosman either assumes that his listeners are practiced students of philosophy, or he has been in academia-land too long to relate to normal people. He might be shocked how abysmally thick we can be. More examples and simpler explanations would be good for morale out here. I would not say to listen to Shutt instead, but in addition to Kosman. And be prepared to listen over and over and to do a lot of reading and thinking.

Okay, but not great

When the series begins you automatically assume Professor Kosman is going to be intriguing and informative. Throughout the series he becomes less intriguing and more informative. If you are looking for information on the writings of these two great thinkers then this project is for you. However, if you are looking to understand these men and acquire a general understanding of their concepts then this project is not for you. He never fully enlightens the listener on the meanings of their concepts and never gives a definitive explanations to their meanings. In the beginning of the lectures he states that Plato's writings are 'interpretive endeavors'. That is, they are left for the reader to decide as to what the writer and others mean by their discussion. Furthermore, he does a fair job on explaining what the writings are addressing and their significance but that's about it. You will come out knowing what each book is addressing while also knowing more about the two philosophers, but not how to interpret the writings or even understand what the concepts of the writings are about in depth. For instance, what is the virtue of self-control? He merely states what Charmindes, one of the characters in Plato's writings, believes self-control is. Afterwards, Socrates corrects and critiques his definition (which you will find Socrates usually doing) and then Socrates fails to give a definitive explanation (OR if he does you must investigate it within Plato's book, The Charmindes). Which brings me to my next point: If you don't have time to read these books then do not entertain the thought that you will, some how, have a conclusive understanding of the concepts of Plato. Again, he leaves this up to the listener to discover! For this lecture series one must be prepared to spend immense amounts of time of one lecture, that is, you must listen to the lecture, read the chapter in the book that comes with the lecture, then prepare to read at least one of the suggested readings (Plato's writings) and then answer the questions to fully grasp it all. Sure, if you have time to spend on this for the next 6-9 months you will come out as fairly advanced in this subject. If you don't then you are preparing to waste your money.

Read the Masters, then listen!

The lectures from Professor Kosman are mind-blowing. I have studied Philosophy, I got BA, and I had an excellent Prof. for the Ancient class, but the way Professor Kosman connects the ideas and underlying concepts of Plato and the Master of those who understand, makes you as he said essentially seduced by these two philosophers. Professor Kosman explicitly says that the lectures are not sufficient if listened only by them selves, he uses the analogy of the `pinture¿ of Botticelli. Someone may tell you why Botticelli is the Maestro, but unless you see it for your self, you are not going to learn nor understand, and then as some people do, you will make judgment without understanding, and essentially you will speak the wisdom that is not yours. I think that Professor Kosman is telling us, those who like Plato and Aristotle get your own knowledge by reading and re-reading these two Masters of Philosophy. Professor Kosman, on contrary is very witty (I laughed on many occasions) and his voice is very warm-professor like. I only wish that I have studied and learned from him.

Excellent!!

This is a very fine review of Plato and Aristotle, providing both breadth and depth - highly recommended!!!!

Not that good

1. one never really connects with the teacher. it as if he feels that just skimming the material is enough to do his job. 2. he is vague at points that he wants/needs to avoid as dealing with them would require some very interesting explanation (i.e.: the true nature of 'The Symposium') 3. his is not a willing giver of information. 4. his voice is boring - true, this is a point of contention. but, as a professional speaker he needs to be more aware of his voice. please avoid this man and his works. he is the professor that has a job and tenure and no reason to teach.

Outstanding

Very well thought out course, introductory but not watered down. I just finished listening to the entire course and can see that repeated listening will be very fruitful, which is exactly what I wanted from a philosophy audio course. Very highly recommended.

Serious course

Introduction to Plato and Aristotle (introductory but not watered down at all). I took a number of philosophy courses in college and the course on this cd is superior to all of them. This guy is brilliant and presents the material in such a way that it feels like an intense conversation. Outstanding!! but you need to be able to concentrate while listening, it's not an 'elevator-music' type audio course!

This dialog Does Not Stand on its own

The information is presented from the expectation that you have already read or reviewed most of the notable books from the period. Actually, the Professor makes regular references to the books by page number, which may be interesting, but not when you are listening to the CD's as you are driving through rush hour.

Good stuff

It was fantastic. I'm just getting into Philosophy, and this set worked very well to get me interested in Plato and Aristotle.

No text was provided for this review.