The Ancient Greek Philosophers

1. The Ancient Greek Philosophers Socrates Σωκράτης

2. Socrates • One of the founders of Western philosophy • However, he never wrote anything down! • So, we know about him through other writers, especially Plato and Xenophon, and the plays of his contemporary Aristophanes.

3. Socrates • Born in 469 B.C. • Father was a stonemason, mother was a midwife • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2KzymrmNa0

4. Teaching • Socrates had many “students,” but no formal school, and he never accepted payment for teaching because he believed that knowledge should be free to all who seek it • He exemplified his beliefs by walking through the streets of Athens barefoot year-round in ragged clothing.

5. Marriage • He married Xanthippe, who was rumored to have a terrible temper • For example, she once became so angry at Socrates (probably because he never worked for money) that she dumped a pot of urine on his head! • “By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher”

6. Sophists • During Socrates’ adulthood, many Sophists came to Athens, promising to teach the Athenian youth to be wise and virtuous . . . For a price. • Socrates never missed the opportunity to publicly match wits with one of these Sophists, which usually ended with the Sophist looking like the fool he was and leaving town. • In fact, the word “sophistry” now refers to a false, superficial argument.

7. Politics • Socrates had a great deal of respect for the laws of Athens, but not so much for its politicians. • In fact, some scholars argue that he was against democracy in general. • He considered himself a "gadfly." • While there is not any evidence that he directly confronted politicians the way he did with Sophists, he had a great deal of power in Athens, especially with young people.

8. Oracle at Delphi • Socrates' friend Chaerephon asked the oracle at Delphi if anyone was wiser than Socrates, and the Oracle responded that none was wiser. • Socrates believed that what the Oracle had said was a paradox, because he believed he possessed no wisdom whatsoever. • He proceeded to test the riddle by approaching men considered wise by the people of Athens—statesmen, poets, and artisans—in order to refute the Oracle's pronouncement.

9. Socrates the Gadfly • Questioning them, however, Socrates concluded that, while each man thought he knew a great deal and was wise, in fact they knew very little and were not wise at all. • Socrates realized while so-called wise men thought themselves wise and yet were not, he himself knew he was not wise at all, which, paradoxically, made him the wiser one since he was the only person aware of his own ignorance.

10. Trial • Arrested for corrupting young minds and worshipping false gods • Plato’s Apology tells the story of Socrates’ trial • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bVBpLjh13E

11. Death • Socrates was found guilty and sentenced to death. • He had the opportunity to escape, but chose to stay for several reasons: • He believed such a flight would indicate a fear of death, which he believed no true philosopher has. • If he fled Athens his teaching would fare no better in another country as he would continue questioning all he met and undoubtedly incur their displeasure. • Having knowingly agreed to live under the city's laws, he implicitly subjected himself to the possibility of being accused of crimes by its citizens and judged guilty by its jury. To do otherwise would have caused him to break his "social contract" with the state, and so harm the state, an act contrary to Socratic principle.

13. Socrates - Favorite Quotes • "Nature has given us two eyes, two ears, and but one tongue--to that end, we should see and hear more than we speak." • "Ignorance is the only evil.“ • “Be as you wish to seem.” • “Not life, but good life, is chiefly to be valued.” • “The unexamined life is not worth living.” • “Wisdom begins in wonder.”

14. Socrates - Body Biography • A body biography is a combination of artwork and writing, which can be • Quotes from Socrates • Your own explanations of the Socrates’ traits • Your body biography is not suppose to be a literal representation of Socrates • It should be more like a giant collage of written ideas, drawings, and symbols that work together to show us how well you understand what we have learned about Socrates • BE CREATIVE!  

15. Body Biography Guidelines • THE HANDS • What is the work that he does? • What tools does he use? • QUOTATIONS • “Direct” quotations from Socrates • Things others say about Socrates  • SURROUNDINGS – What other things were going on in Socrates’ life that influenced him? • WRITTEN EXPLANATION • Write a paragraph explaining your design • Explain each of the symbols you used and why • THE HEART • Where should you place it to best represent what Socrates loves most? • What should it look like and what shape, color, pictures, or symbols should be included in it?   • THE BACKBONE • What is the most important goal for Socrates • What drives his thoughts and actions?   • THE FEET • What is the foundation for his beliefs? • What does he stand for?

16. Other Helpful Links • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmHAdgDkcCw&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1hIU1iZG7o&feature=related