ESP Biography



JOSEPH TOPASNA, Stanford Senior - Philosophy



Major: Philosophy

College/Employer: Stanford

Year of Graduation: 2015

Picture of Joseph Topasna

Brief Biographical Sketch:

I have an interest in the history of philosophy--particularly ancient philosophy. In addition to being a philosophy major, I am a Chinese minor.

Feel free to send me an e-mail if you have any questions.



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

R4076: Introduction to Philosophy: Desire in Plato and Aristotle in Splash Spring 2015 (Apr. 11 - 12, 2015)
This course will be a rigorous introduction to the Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. You will leave this class knowing why ancient philosophers are important and knowing how to begin thinking philosophically. (First ten minutes) We will first explore key concepts in philosophy. What is philosophy and why is it important? What does philosophy have as its object of study? (Remaining time) For the second part of this class, we will use the general framework from the first part to examine three short passages from Plato, and two short passages from Aristotle.


L3184: Philosophy and Friendship in Splash! Fall 2013 (Nov. 02 - 03, 2013)
What is "friendship"? This class will explore historical, philosophical views of friendship from Plato and Aristotle to contemporary philosophers. While surveying historical views of friendship, we will aim at answering the first question and questions like: "Do we have 'true' friends?", "What does it mean to act justly or unjustly towards our friends?", and "Can we live without friends?". Most importantly, each student will be pushed to form a personal view of friendship.