Greek Philosophers

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

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

Pythagoras B.C. The universe could only be understood thru numbers. The universe could only be understood thru numbers. Sun, moon, and earth revolved around a central fire. Sun, moon, and earth revolved around a central fire. Each planet produces a tone! Each planet produces a tone! Famous for the Pythagorean Theorem: a 2 + b 2 = c 2 Famous for the Pythagorean Theorem: a 2 + b 2 = c 2

Pythagoras B.C. Pythagorean Theorem: a 2 + b 2 = c 2 Pythagorean Theorem: a 2 + b 2 = c 2 a2a2 c2c2 b2b2

Protagoras B.C. Most famous of the Sophists Most famous of the Sophists Believed that reason and knowledge should be used to achieve a comfortable, safe, and happy life. 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: Teachings to equip citizens for life in the polis: 1. Public speaking – oratory and rhetoric 2. Politics 3. Grammar – language 4. The art of being respectable Plato named one of his dialogues after him. Plato named one of his dialogues after him.

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

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

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

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

Archimedean Screw

Modern application of the Archimedean Screw

The Three Most Famous Philosophers Socrates Plato Aristotle

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

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

Socrates B.C. Socratic Method: I. Admit ignorance. II. Never rely on tradition. III. Continuously question. IV. Formulate your own opinions. V. Test your opinions with others.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alexander the Great B.C.