First Five What is “Groupthink?” How long did Plato study under Socrates? Which of Plato’s dialogues discusses “The Prisoners and the Cave?”

Greece- The Classical Era III

Aristotle

Aristotle ( BCE) Most famous student of Plato –Spent 20 years at the academy Teacher of Alexander the Great –At Macedonia Returns to Greece to open his own school

Macedonia

Harmony Think of a guitar If the string is too loose, it won’t play Too tight, and the string will snap Perfect tension creates harmony The balance between vice and virtue –Vice: Bad habits (drinking, gambling, etc.) –Virtue: Moral excellence (goodness)

Ethics Aristotle writes about ethics Ethics: Discipline that focuses on rightness or wrongness of certain actions Aristotle believes in moderation –N–No excesses

appiness Happiness

All human activities aim for a good Every good is meant to achieve happiness Happiness is tied to virtue Moral goodness is the highest happiness Has to be practiced over and over –Creature of habit We are not born good or bad –We become one or the other through our actions

The Good Life The good life involves smart choices But people are also passionate (emotional) Surrendering to desire: Foolish Denying desires: Foolish

The Golden Mean Choose the middle way Mean=Average Golden Mean: The perfect blend of passion and virtue Too much confidence: Brash (arrogant) Not enough confidence: Cowardly Golden Mean: Brave

The Natural World Aristotle cares about our place in the world Most of his study is actually science –Classifying plants and animals Credited as the founder of Biology and Psychology

Assignment In two paragraphs: –Discuss a time in your life when doing the right thing made you feel good about yourself. Discuss a time when doing the wrong thing made you feel terrible. In three paragraphs –What do you consider “Happiness?” –Do you think of yourself as a “Happy” person? –How was the idea of “Happiness” taught to you as a child (in the home, at school, in church, etc.)?