We leave behind the great philosophers of Greece, Plato and Aristotle, and move forward into the period often called the 'Age of Hellenism,' that is, the age of Greek influence in the larger Mediterranean world. The conflict between Plato and Aristotle remained unresolved, and the subsequent thinkers contented themselves with lesser concerns, much as the Sophists had done in an earlier time.

The first of the major Hellenistic philosophies was Epicureanism, founded by Epicurus in Athens in the year 306. Epicurus developed a fairly elaborate system of balancing pleasure against pain, in the belief that there is only material existence, and at the end of life we pass back into personal oblivion.

The other important philosophy of the time was Stocism, which is introduced in this lesson, but will occupy more of our attention in the next presentation. Stoicism also despaired of answers to great metaphysical questions, focusing rather on issues of personal discipline and balance.

When the Apostle Paul visited the city of Athens in the fall of the year 51 a.d., he was confronted by the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who inquired about the 'new' teaching offered by the Jewish traveler. His sermon represents the only recorded presentation of the gospel to a pagan audience, and may be found in Acts chapter 17.

1. Introduction to the Major Themes of Philosophy
2. The Ionian Philosophers
3. The Italian Philosophers
4. The Athenian Pluralists
5. The Life and Times of Socrates
6. Introduction to Plato
7. Plato's World of the Forms
8. Plato's Parable of the Cave
9. Dualism in Plato
10. Introduction to Aristotle
11. Aristotle's Metaphysics
12. Aristotle's Categories
13. Aristotle's Theory of Language
14. Aristotle's God
15. The Epicureans
16. Stoicism
17. Philo of Alexandria
18. The Christian Synthesis
19. Early Christian Apologists
20. Antiochan Christianity
21. Alexandrian Christianity
22. The Council of Nicaea
23. Manichaeism
24. Neo-Platonism
25. The Life of Augustine
26. Overview of Augustin's Thought
27. Augustin's Epistemology
28. Augustin's Epistemology (part 2)
29. Augustin's Theory of Faith
30. Augustin's Understanding of the Church
31. The Pelagian Controversy
32. The Pelagian Controversy (cont)
33. The Pelagian Controversy (concl)
34. Anselm of Canterbury
35. Anselm's Cur Deus Homo
36. Introduction to the Classical Synthesis
37. The Classical Synthesis (part 2)
38. Thomas Aquinas and the Five Ways
39. Art, Philosophy, and the Renaissance

This wide ranging course starts with the pre-Socratic philosophers of the ancient world, and traces the history of philosophical speculation across the ages up to the present. Included along the way is special attention to the greatest Christian thinkers in history, including Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin and many others.