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North America

North America. Africa. INTRODUCTION TO GREEK PHILOSOPHY. Why the Greeks???. What was unique about the Greek cultural, social, historical and political situation that created an atmosphere so conductive to philosophy?

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North America

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  1. North America

  2. Africa

  3. INTRODUCTION TO GREEK PHILOSOPHY

  4. Why the Greeks??? • What was unique about the Greek cultural, social, historical and political situation that created an atmosphere so conductive to philosophy? • Why was philosophy so unique to Athens in particular over other Greek city-states such as Sparta?

  5. Why the Greeks??? • The Greek city-states such as Athens and Miletus, unlike Egypt and Babylon, were wealthy from other factors than merely agriculture

  6. The Importance of TRADE • This other source of wealth was TRADE • The major exports of Athens were olive oil and wine; both were non-perishable and were in great demand for many uses

  7. Implications of a Trading Culture • What were the implications of a trading culture? • The trading culture of Athens fostered independence amongst citizens, being away from all authority at home • It was a culture that dealt with many peoples, cultures, practices and ideas

  8. The Democratic Tradition of Athens

  9. Democracy in Athens • The institution of kings in many Greek city-states was gone • In Athens, the office of “ruler” pushed aside the authority of the king • The office at first was filled with the nobility, but later turned to elected nobles with a one-year term • In essence, Athens enjoyed a period of pure DEMOCRACY

  10. ATHENS vs. SPARTA • If a COMMERCIAL DEMOCRACY was the type of environment which fostered philosophic thought, then it stands to reason that philosophy would not occur in another Greek city-state that was neither commercial nor democratic

  11. SPARTA • Sparta had little philosophic thought • It was a military oligarchy where the average citizen had little/no political power • The business of Sparta’s citizens was war! • The Spartans had the best army in Greece

  12. School of Athens

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