Greek Philosophers

Philosophy Philosophy  love of wisdom Early Greek philosophers were concerned with the development of logic and reasoning, and how divine forces worked

Thales of Miletus 636-546 B.C. Earliest known philosopher Studied Egyptian and Babylonian astronomy and mathematics Believed that the universe was controlled by fixed laws Basic element – water. Got rich with olive presses!

Pythagoras 582-500 B.C. The universe could only be understood thru numbers. Sun, moon, and earth revolved around a central fire. Each planet produces a tone! Famous for the Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2

Pythagoras 582-500 B.C. c2 a2 b2 Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2

Protagoras 485 - 410 B.C. Most famous of the Sophists Believed that reason and knowledge should be used to achieve a comfortable, safe, and happy life. Teachings to equip citizens for life in the polis: Public speaking – oratory and rhetoric Politics Grammar – language The art of being respectable Plato named one of his dialogues after him.

Hippocrates 460-377 B.C. Founded a school of medicine Rejected that sickness comes from the gods Careful observations of symptoms Acute Chronic “Holistic” healing Hygiene Diet Curative powers of nature The Hippocratic Oath

Democritus 460? - 360 B.C. Developed the atomic theory. Taught that the universe was formed out of chaos through the joining of atoms of like shape and size. Atoma = indivisible particles. “the laughing philosopher”

Euclid c.300 B.C. One of the most prominent mathematicians Wrote The Elements Widely used till about 1903. 2nd only to the Bible in numbers of translations, publications, and study Greek – Arabic – Latin Said to Ptolemy: “There is No Royal Road to geometry!”

Archimedes 287 - 212 B.C. Greek mathematician – Geometry War machines and other devices Theory of buoyancy - “Eureka!” Law of the lever Archimedean screw

The Three Most Famous Philosophers Socrates Plato Aristotle

Socrates (469-399 B.C.) “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Beliefs We contain all the knowledge of the world in our souls Reincarnation We lose touch with that knowledge after every rebirth We DO NOT learn new things, but are reminded of what we already know

Socrates (469-399 B.C.) Beliefs Good is not good because the gods say so Good is measured by practical usefulness Don’t need religious texts to tell us right from wrong Monotheistic Did not believe in the multitude of Greek gods & goddesses Anti-authority Wanted students to question society

Socrates (469-399 B.C.) Legacy The Socratic Method Death Teaching by using question-and-answer format to lead pupils to understanding concepts through reasoning Let students learn for themselves Leads to modern school system Death Put on trial & convicted by an Athenian jury of corrupting the youth of Athens Forced to drink hemlock and commit suicide

Considered the greatest philosopher in Western Civilization Plato (437?-347 BC) “Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty.” Socrates’ student Wrote down all of Socrates beliefs Considered the greatest philosopher in Western Civilization

Plato (437?-347 BC) Beliefs How do we know what’s real? The Republic Earth is not real Must live in a rational state The higher world of eternity is real The Republic Does not trust democracy Offers his ideal state Philosopher kings – driven by wisdom Warriors – provide courage Peasants – driven by desire, but would produce Argued against materialism

Plato (437?-347 BC) Beliefs Men and women should be educated They should have equal access to all positions Three Levels of Pleasure Physical  i.e. sex Sensual  i.e. admiring beauty or enjoying relationship in marriage Ideal  intellectual love; connecting with another mind No physicality to soil the relationship Platonic love

Plato (437?-347 BC) Beliefs God is perfect We must strive to resemble God We move closer to God via reincarnation He created the world out of raw materials Sin is people being ignorant Do not punish, but reform sinners via education

“The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.” Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) “The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.” Prized student of Plato Teacher of Alexander the Great Lyceum Built school of philosophy Beautiful grounds with covered walkways Traditional college campuses based on the Lyceum

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) Beliefs Three Souls Three forms of government Plant Soul  essence of nutrition Animal Soul  essence of pleasure, pain, & desire Human Soul  essence of reasoning People learn through reasoning Three forms of government Monarchy Negative  could turn into tyranny Aristocracy Negative  could turn into an oligarchy Constitutional Monarchy Negative  could turn into anarchy

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) Legacy System of Classification The ologies: biology, zoology, etc. Governments: democracies, oligarchies, tyrannies Inventor of modern logic p v q Wrote the first book on psychology