GREEK PHILOSOPHERS Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

What is Philosophy? The study of general and fundamental problems, including those connected with existence, values, reason, and mind. “The Love of Wisdom”

Greek Education and Philosophy  Education, search for knowledge, philosophy  Knowledge through observations – don’t assume, ASK WHY  Math, Science – Allow measurements to explain world. Atomism  Ideas of World in Constant Flux, Change can be measured. Math goes into Science  Sophists – No truth, only what you think is true matter  Teach Arguments  Greek Education – small elite group attended classes  WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A HUMAN? – We can improve and be better

Ancient Greek Philosophy  Broke away from mythological approach to explaining the world  Used reason and evidence to understand human actions and the material world

Greek Philosophers Socrates B.C. Plato B.C. Aristotle B.C.

Jigsaw – Greek Philosophers  Step 1: In your expert group, silently and independently read/annotate your assigned Greek philosopher  Step 2: In your expert group, take notes in your notebook on your assigned philosopher  Step 3: In your home group, present your assigned philosopher while others take notes

Socrates  Philosophy – Interaction with knowledge – started with Socrates  Socratic Method – Always asks how to do you know what is true?  Don’t use religion to explain it  Never wrote anything down  Never took money for teaching  Absolutes in Truth  Within an individual all of the knowledge is there. Asks questions to help people reach it  Caused people to doubt themselves and got int trouble  Forced to commit suicide

Plato  Student of Socrates  Wrote down what Socrates said  Son of aristocratic family, well educated  Questioned Athens – They killed Socrates  Everything has Ideal form (Think of a Chair)  City State also has an ideal form (perfect form)  The Republic – Political philosphy  Leaders are selected based on Merit  Tests people to determine what they become  After training you can become a leader  Ideal state ruled by Philosopher King – Engage reason stays above all the bad things in politics  Influenced Western thought

Aristotle  Influential Greek Philosopher  Was student of Plato’s Academy  Started own school: Lyceum  Disagreed with Plato’s Work  Classify things – Understand them  Look at physical world rather than just think about the physical world  Political Ideas – Categories: Monarchy, Oligarchy, Democracy  Considered what would make a good state  Pioneered ethics, looked at how to be virtious and public and private  Good State – Good Constitution, Allowed good citzens to live good lives, bring about justice  Would allow for freedom to engage in education  Legacy – Transtated to Rome and to the Middle Ages, Early Modern Period  2000 year impact