The Greco- Roman Philosophical Tradition Foundations Lesson 6

Main Ideas: Mediterranean philosophy begins in mythology and evolves into a plan for livingMediterranean philosophy begins in mythology and evolves into a plan for living Greeks & Romans focused heavily on concerns of earthly life rather than spiritual mattersGreeks & Romans focused heavily on concerns of earthly life rather than spiritual matters Hellenic thought greatly influenced the societies of the Hellenistic world.Hellenic thought greatly influenced the societies of the Hellenistic world.

Mediterranean Social Order Geography & the rise of the city-stateGeography & the rise of the city-stateGeography – dependence on trade – strong sense of patriotism Merchant/Warrior SocietiesMerchant/Warrior Societies – Athens & Sparta – Rome as a “marriage” –Women in the Mediterranean

Classical Mythology Greco-Roman ValuesGreco-Roman Values – arēte & gravitas Fundamentals of Greco-Roman religionFundamentals of Greco-Roman religion – nature of gods – the gods & man – the role of fate Contrasts to Other MythologiesContrasts to Other Mythologies – represent man, not nature – not necessarily so unpredictable – provide no answers about nature or morality

Early Natural Philosophy Desire to use rational thought to find logos—controlling laws underlying the natural worldDesire to use rational thought to find logos—controlling laws underlying the natural world – Math (Euclid, Pythagoras) – Astronomy (Ptolemy, Eratosthanes) – Elemental Science (Thales, Democritus) – Physics (Archimedes)

The Sophists Skepticism & RelativismSkepticism & Relativism Absolute “right & wrong” unattainableAbsolute “right & wrong” unattainable Only study what you need to meet your own endsOnly study what you need to meet your own ends

Aristotelian Science Process of speculation and observation to come to a conclusion (syllogism)Process of speculation and observation to come to a conclusion (syllogism) Emphasizes logical thought and empirical analysisEmphasizes logical thought and empirical analysis Strong influence on later Western thoughtStrong influence on later Western thought

Hellenistic Thinking Problem: how does the individual find worth in a vast empire (Alexandrian or Roman)?Problem: how does the individual find worth in a vast empire (Alexandrian or Roman)? Hellenistic Schools—focus on promoting self- sufficiencyHellenistic Schools—focus on promoting self- sufficiency – Cynics (Diogenes) worth derived from “return to nature” worth derived from “return to nature” – Epicureans (Epicurus) worth derived from eliminating pain worth derived from eliminating pain – Stoics (Zeno) worth derived from promoting virtue & harmony through service to State worth derived from promoting virtue & harmony through service to State

Judeo-Christian Influences The Covenant, the Law, and Rome’s stand on religionThe Covenant, the Law, and Rome’s stand on religion Comparisons to Hellenistic philosophyComparisons to Hellenistic philosophy – values – the individual Realities of Christianity in EuropeRealities of Christianity in Europe – Hellenistic patterns – Religion & the state – Expansion & Rome’s decline

The Greco-Roman Legacy Began a tradition of approaching life in a rational, even scientific way—even religious thinking uneasy about accepting the world on “blind faith”Began a tradition of approaching life in a rational, even scientific way—even religious thinking uneasy about accepting the world on “blind faith” Greater concept of the individual is unique—will be important to comparing development of the West to other regions laterGreater concept of the individual is unique—will be important to comparing development of the West to other regions later

City-States of Ancient Greece Greece