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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? 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? Why was philosophy so unique to Athens in particular over other Greek city-states such as Sparta?

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

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

Implications of a Trading Culture What were the 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 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 It was a culture that dealt with many peoples, cultures, practices and ideas

The Democratic Tradition of Athens

Democracy in Athens The institution of kings in many Greek city- states was gone The institution of kings in many Greek city- states was gone In Athens, the office of “ruler” pushed aside the authority of the king 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 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 In essence, Athens enjoyed a period of pure DEMOCRACY

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 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

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

School of Athens