Overview
Mondays, October 6 - November 10
5:30-7:30pm ET
Yale Club of NYC (Clarence Day Room)
50 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, NY
COURSE DESCRIPTION
What is ultimately real? What remains the same beneath the changing appearances of the world? And how can we know it? Can mathematics offer a clue?
These are central questions of metaphysics, one of the oldest branches of philosophy. This six-week seminar explores a remarkable Greek answer: mathematics may reveal aspects of reality that cannot be discovered through the senses alone.
Beginning with the Pythagorean Theorem, we will examine how Greek mathematicians learned to recognize stable relationships that remain unchanged beneath visible transformations. We will then follow the development of this insight in the thought of Thales, Pythagoras, Anaximander, Zeno, Aristotle, and Plato, asking how geometry came to be viewed not merely as a practical skill but as a guide to the hidden structure of the world. Unlike a conventional history of mathematics course, mathematics here is not primarily the subject of inquiry; rather, it serves as the method through which Greek thinkers first discovered stable realities underlying the changing world of experience.
Through diagrams, visual demonstrations, and philosophical discussion, we will explore the surprising connections between mathematics, knowledge, and reality that helped shape the Western intellectual tradition. No advanced mathematics is required—only curiosity about some of humanity`s deepest questions.?
COURSE FORMAT
This is an interactive in-person seminar course that meets weekly over 6 weeks. This course will meet at the Yale Club of NYC (Clarence Day Room)
50 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, NY
Weekly reading or other forms of materials may be assigned.
There are no papers or grades. This course does not offer any credits or certificates. This course is intended for learning for the love of learning.
COURSE MATERIALS
This course will supply reading materials through file links on the course website. It is recommended ut not required to purchase/rent The Metaphysics of the Pythagorean Theorem. Hahn, Robert. Available in paperback for $38,
Registrants will receive access to the course website about two weeks before the course starts.
COURSE CANCELLATION POLICY
Registrants can cancel and receive a full refund up to September 21. After September 21, there will be no refunds issued. Yale Alumni College courses are subject to schedule changes as well as cancellations. If Yale Alumni College must cancel any course prior to its start due to low enrollment, you will be notified of this by the cancellation date. Upon cancellation of a course, registrants may transfer their registration to another available course or have the registration fee fully refunded.
In the event of a disruption to the original course schedule, including but not limited to; Professor absence, hazardous weather conditions, or local travel restrictions, Yale Alumni College will do its best to reschedule the missed class for the week immediately following the original end date at the same course time and day.