Greek Philosophers

Greek Philosophers Philosophers – “lovers of wisdom” Sophists – “workers of wisdom” – Teachers phileo = love sophia = wisdom If sophia = wisdom and moron = fool, then a sophomore is a “wise fool.”

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

Archimedean Screw

Modern application of the Archimedean Screw

The Three Most Famous Philosophers Socrates Plato Aristotle

Socrates 469 - 399 B.C. Critic of the Sophists Encouraged students to think Left no writings – skeptical Dialectic method Conversational Based upon reason and logic Popular among the youth a “gadfly” in Athens Placed on trial for impiety and corrupting the youth Was executed in 399 – drank poison hemlock

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates - Socrates 469 - 399 B.C. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates -

Socrates 469 - 399 B.C. Socratic Method: Admit ignorance. Never rely on tradition. Continuously question. Formulate your own opinions. Test your opinions with others.

Socrates 469 - 399 B.C. Socrates’ dialectic method was a departure from earlier philosophers. Earlier philosophers were interested in the nature of the universe and basic elements. Socrates’ approach was more rigorous and was the forerunner of logic. Most famous student: Plato

Socrates 469 - 399 B.C. “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Plato 427 - 347 B.C. Preserved and perpetuated the work of Socrates Most important source of info on Socrates Founded the Academy Wrote dialogues Universal Forms was a recurring theme The Republic – most important dialogue “Those things which are beautiful are also difficult.”

Aristotle 384 - 322 B.C. Most famous student of Plato Most famous teacher of Alexander the Great Developed Logic as a field of study Devised a complex system of classification Used in biology Views on Government

Aristotle 384 - 322 B.C. Views on Government 3 Good Governments: Monarchy Aristocracy Democracy 3 Bad Governments: Tyranny Oligarchy Mob Rule

Aristotle 384 - 322 B.C. “All things in moderation” “Man is by nature a political animal.”

Alexander the Great 356 -323 B.C.

Alexander the Great 356 -323 B.C.