Ancient Greek Philosophers

1. Ancient Greek Philosophers

2. Socrates • 470-399BC • Laid the foundation for Western philosophy • Became known as the “wisest man in all of Greece” • Most of what is known about Socrates is derived from information of different sources. • Plato • Xenophone • Aristophanes • Aristotle

3. Socrates • Socrates was critical of Athenian democracy, and preached to his students, that a monarchy was preferable. • He praised the laws and government of Sparta • When his students began betraying Athens to Sparta, this became a catalyst for the trial against Socrates.

4. Plato’s Apology • In the defense of Socrates, contained in the Apology by Plato, Socrates questioned the men of Athens about their knowledge of good, beauty, and virtue. Finding they knew nothing and yet believed themselves to know much, Socrates came to the conclusion that he was only wise only in so far as he knew nothing. This made the prominent Athenians look foolish, turning them against him. • He was found guilty of corrupting the youth, inventing new deities (heresy), and disbelieving in the divine ( atheism).

5. Death of Socrates • He was sentenced to die by drinking a silver goblet of hemlock. • Socrates turned the pleas of his disciples to attempt an escape from prison. • According to the Phaedo, Socrates had a calm death. • According to Plato and Xenophone, Socrates had an opportunity to escape, as his followers were able to bribe the guards. But Socrates did not want to leave Athens.

6. The Death of Socrates • Socrates refused to escape for several reasons: • 1. He believed that such a fight would indicate a fear of death, which he believed that no true philosopher has. • 2. Even if he did leave, he, and his teaching would not fare better in another country. • 3. 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. • So…at age 70 Socrates was put to death.

7. Socratic Method • Answering a question with a question • A method of inquiry, known as the Socratic method was probably his most important contribution. • It allows for the examination of key moral concepts such as Good and Justice. • It was first described by Plato in the Socratic Dialogues. • He is believed to be the father of political philosophy and ethics or moral philosophy.

8. Socrates beliefs • “Wisdom is limited to an awareness of ones own ignorance” • He believed that the best way for people to live was to focus on self-development, rather than the pursuit of material wealth. • Concentrate more on friendships and a sense of true community. • He stressed that “virtue was the most valuable of all possessions; the ideal life was spent in search of the Good. Truth lies beneath the shadows of existence, and that it is the job of the philosopher to show the rest how little they really know.”

9. Beliefs continued: • To truly be good and not just act with “right opinion”; one must come to know the unchanging Good in itself. • “Ideals belong in a world that only the wise mancan understand” • He also discussed reincarnation and the mystery religions • He objected to democracy

10. Plato • 427-347 BC • Real name is Aristocles • Founder of the Academy

11. Plato’s Writings • Plato wrote in dialogue • Some of his famous works were: • Socrates Death • The Trial of Socrates • The Republic • The Allegory of the Cave

12. The Republic • This was a dialogue on the ideal government • He believed that society has a three class structure; • 1. Productive class- The workers • 2. Protective class- The soldiers • 3. Governing class- The rulers • He believed that a person with sound reason and wisdom should govern- Therefore it should be a “philosopher king”, that is someone “who loves the sight of truth.” • He also addresses the education system in The Republic, therefore producing the philosopher king.

13. Plato’s themes • The conflict between nature and convention, concerning the role of heredity and environment on human intelligence and personality. (Nature vs. nurture) • The distinction between knowledge and true belief. • He believed oral communication was far better than the written form. • Metaphysical dualism- That the world is divided into two forms. (Intelligible – Soul and the Perceptual – body) • Also the idea of Good from what is really good.

14. The Academy • At the age of 40, founded one of the earliest organized schools in Western civilization-The Academy • It eventually closed by Justinian I of Byzantium, who saw it as a threat to Christianity.

15. Aristotle • 384-322BC • Student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great • He was a polymath ( a person who excelled in many subjects) • At the age of 10, he became an orphan and placed under the guardianship of his Uncle. • At age 18, he attended The Academy

16. The Lyceum • In 336BC, Aristotle opened his own school The Lyceum. • This is after he tutored Alexander the Great • He believed that philosophy was also a science of that which is “actual” • He thought that in order to become “good”, one could not simply study what virtue is; one must actually be virtuous. The ultimate goal in life was called the Highest Good.

17. Metaphysics • The 5 elements • Fire- which is hot and dry • Earth- which is cold and dry • Air- which is hot and wet • Water- which is cold and wet • Aether- which is the divine substance that makes up the heavenly spheres and heavenly bodies. ( stars and planets)

18. Thoughts • Live life in moderation • Achieve the Ultimate Good • The good of the many, outweigh the good of the few • A friend to all is a friend to none • All men by nature desire knowledge • Even when laws have been written down, they ought not always to remain unaltered. • Good habits formed at youth make all the difference. Happiness depends upon ourselves.