Greek Philosophy Socrates Plato Aristotle Philosophy love of

Greek Philosophy Socrates, Plato, & Aristotle

Philosophy love of wisdom p Early Greek philosophers were concerned with the development of logic and reasoning, and how divine forces worked p

Socrates (469 -399 B. C. ) p “The unexamined life is not worth living. ” n Beliefs p We contain all the knowledge of the world in our souls § Reincarnation § We lose touch with that knowledge after every rebirth p We DO NOT learn new things, but are reminded of what we already know

Socrates (469 -399 B. C. ) n Beliefs Good is not good because the gods say so p Good is measured by practical usefulness p § Don’t need religious texts to tell us right from wrong p Monotheistic § Did not believe in the multitude of Greek gods & goddesses p Anti-authority § Wanted students to question society

Socrates (469 -399 B. C. ) p Legacy n The Socratic Method Teaching by using question-and-answer format to lead pupils to understanding concepts through reasoning p Let students learn for themselves p Leads to modern school system p n Death p Put on trial & convicted by an Athenian jury of corrupting the youth of Athens § Forced to drink hemlock and commit suicide

Plato (437? -347 BC) p p “Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty. ” Socrates’ student n p Wrote down all of Socrates beliefs Considered the greatest philosopher in Western Civilization

Plato (437? -347 BC) n Beliefs p How do we know what’s real? § Earth is not real § Must live in a rational state § The higher world of eternity is real p The Republic § Does not trust democracy § Offers his ideal state § Philosopher kings – driven by wisdom § Warriors – provide courage § Peasants – driven by desire, but would produce § Argued against materialism

Plato (437? -347 BC) n Beliefs Men and women should be educated p They should have equal access to all positions p Three Levels of Pleasure p § Physical i. e. sex § Sensual i. e. admiring beauty or enjoying relationship in marriage § Ideal intellectual love; connecting with another mind § No physicality to soil the relationship § Platonic love

Plato (437? -347 BC) n Beliefs p God is perfect § We must strive to resemble God § We move closer to God via reincarnation He created the world out of raw materials p Sin is people being ignorant p § Do not punish, but reform sinners via education

Aristotle (384 -322 B. C. ) “The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal. ” p Prized student of Plato p Teacher of Alexander the Great p Lyceum p n n n Built school of philosophy Beautiful grounds with covered walkways Traditional college campuses based on the Lyceum

Aristotle (384 -322 B. C. ) n Beliefs p Three Souls § Plant Soul essence of nutrition § Animal Soul essence of pleasure, pain, & desire § Human Soul essence of reasoning § People learn through reasoning p Three forms of government § Monarchy § Negative could turn into tyranny § Aristocracy § Negative could turn into an oligarchy § Constitutional Monarchy § Negative could turn into anarchy

Aristotle (384 -322 B. C. ) p Legacy n System of Classification The ologies: biology, zoology, etc. p Governments: democracies, oligarchies, tyrannies p n Inventor of modern logic p n pvq Wrote the first book on psychology