1. Greco-Roman Vs. Judeo-Christian

2. Greek Philosophers
Socrates (Sock-ra-tees) – Socratic Method

3. Greek Philosophers
Plato (Play-toe) – Socrates’ student

4. Plato Wrote the book Republic How does that apply to our government?
Believed that the government should be controlled by the smartest, not the richest or most powerful
How does that apply to our government?
Indirect democracy – you vote for people who you think is best

5. Greek Philosophers Aristotle – Plato’s student Wrote HELLA books
Taught Alexander the Great

6. Aristotle Wrote the book Politics
The group is more important than the individual
The city comes before the individual
How does this apply to our government?
Laws are passed that don’t benefit everyone, but they are meant for the greater good

7. Plato and Aristotle
Plato and Aristotle both believed in Philosopher Kings, the wisest and smartest people who should be running the government

8. Greek Mythology vs. Christianity
Christianity/Judaism/Islam
Polytheistic (Many Gods)
Gods/religion used to explain natural phenomenon (lightning)
People must offer sacrifices and not equal under God
In law, everything must be based on logic and reason, not on faith
The good of the whole is more important than the good of the individual
Monotheistic (One God)
God is ONLY concerned with human problems
God/religion used to explain individual morality (what is good and what is bad)
People are important and equal under God
The individual is important

9. Multiple Choice Practice
He who trusts any man with supreme power gives it to a wild
beast, for such his appetite sometimes makes him: passion
influences those in power, even the best of men, but law is
reason without desire
—Aristotle
Which feature of modern Western democratic government
reflects Aristotle’s views as given above?
the direct election of members of the legislature
the power of the courts to review the law
the granting of emergency powers to the chief executive
the requirement that government actions must adhere to the law