Greek Philosophy CHW3M

Philosophy From Greek philo (love) soph (wisdom) From Greek philo (love) soph (wisdom) Can you name any Greek philosophers? Can you name any Greek philosophers?

Key Philosophers from Classical Greece Socrates Socrates Plato Plato Aristotle Aristotle

Philosophy The Greek philosophers engaged in debates over issues of morality, government, the nature of the world, and knowledge itself The Greek philosophers engaged in debates over issues of morality, government, the nature of the world, and knowledge itself They laid the foundation for Western philosophy as well as modern science They laid the foundation for Western philosophy as well as modern science

Socrates Lived in Athens 470 BCE-499 BCE Lived in Athens 470 BCE-499 BCE –The glory days of Athens (Pericles) Wandered through the streets questioning citizens Wandered through the streets questioning citizens The “Socratic” approach is to teach through asking questions The “Socratic” approach is to teach through asking questions

Socrates Had students but would engage in discussion with anyone Had students but would engage in discussion with anyone Didn’t charge any money – lived in a state of poverty Didn’t charge any money – lived in a state of poverty Didn’t write anything, almost all of what we know of Socrates comes from his student Plato Didn’t write anything, almost all of what we know of Socrates comes from his student Plato

The End of Socrates Continually questioning accepted ideas is a good way to run afoul of those in power Continually questioning accepted ideas is a good way to run afoul of those in power Socrates’ endeavours were seen as destructive, and his loyalty to the state questioned Socrates’ endeavours were seen as destructive, and his loyalty to the state questioned He debated the existence of the gods/godesses He debated the existence of the gods/godesses –That got him charged with Atheism and sentenced to death

Socrates: Key Ideas Keenly interested in morality and human nature Keenly interested in morality and human nature Believed that a person had a soul that strived for good Believed that a person had a soul that strived for good –But what is “good”? Strive to define what is good versus evil Strive to define what is good versus evil –Intent vs outcome Antidemocratic (called for an oligarchy, a society governed by the smartest) Antidemocratic (called for an oligarchy, a society governed by the smartest)

Socratic Exercise What is wisdom? What is wisdom? What is beauty? What is beauty? What is morally right? What is morally right?

Plato A pupil of Socrates (427 BCE-347 BCE) A pupil of Socrates (427 BCE-347 BCE) Very interested in politics Very interested in politics Most famous work: The Republic Most famous work: The Republic –Examines the ideal state Founded the Academy Founded the Academy –School of philosophy and science

Plato: Key Ideas A state can only achieve good for all if every citizen adheres to four basic principles: A state can only achieve good for all if every citizen adheres to four basic principles: –Truth –Wisdom –Courage –Moderation

The Allegory of the Cave What’s the point Plato is trying to make? What’s the point Plato is trying to make? Does this remind you of any movies? Does this remind you of any movies?

Aristotle A pupil of Plato’s (384 BCE-323 BCE) A pupil of Plato’s (384 BCE-323 BCE) Served as tutor to Alexander the Great Served as tutor to Alexander the Great Established his own school (the Lyceum) Established his own school (the Lyceum)

Aristotle: Key Ideas More of a scientist than his predecessors More of a scientist than his predecessors Concerned with the observable world Concerned with the observable world Collected samples of plants and animals and classified them, forming the basis of modern biology Collected samples of plants and animals and classified them, forming the basis of modern biology Refined the scientific method and contributed to physics, astronomy, and psychology Refined the scientific method and contributed to physics, astronomy, and psychology

What else stemmed from Greek Philosophy? Mathematics Mathematics Medicine Medicine Astronomy Astronomy

Mathematics Geometry: Geometry: –Thales of Miletus (triangles/navigation) –Pythagoras (pythagorean theorum) –Euclid (wrote 13 books on geometry) –Archimedes (area of circle, concept of pi) Built on work of Persians, Mesopotamians, and Egyptians (Euclid and Archimedes both studied in Alexandria) Built on work of Persians, Mesopotamians, and Egyptians (Euclid and Archimedes both studied in Alexandria)

Medicine Also based on knowledge of the Egyptians Also based on knowledge of the Egyptians Like the Egyptians, early Greek doctors did many amazing things, but relied heavily on spirituality Like the Egyptians, early Greek doctors did many amazing things, but relied heavily on spirituality Later Greek doctors were proficient in the use of herbs, drugs and ointments, as well as the impact of diet and exercise Later Greek doctors were proficient in the use of herbs, drugs and ointments, as well as the impact of diet and exercise

Hypocrates The “Father of Medicine” The “Father of Medicine” Born in the south Aegean (460 BCE – 377 BCE) Born in the south Aegean (460 BCE – 377 BCE) Founded a medical school, wrote a lot on the treatment of illnesses Founded a medical school, wrote a lot on the treatment of illnesses Most famous for ideas about medical ethics Most famous for ideas about medical ethics –Medical graduates still take the Hippocratic Oath

Astronomy Concept of a round earth, with the moon in orbit Concept of a round earth, with the moon in orbit Concept of heliocentric universe (earth and everything else revolves around the sun) Concept of heliocentric universe (earth and everything else revolves around the sun) Were only off on their calculation of the solar year by about 6 minutes Were only off on their calculation of the solar year by about 6 minutes –Hipparchus was off by less than a second in his calculation of how long it took the moon to orbit the earth

Back to Plato and Socrates Plato’s Crito Plato’s Crito –An account of the trial and death of Socrates –Summarizes some of Socrates’ ideas of truth, justice, morality