Dr. Kerem Eksen ITU

PHILO + SOPHIA  love of wisdom The study of the nature of reality, existence, being, nature, values, mind, language… Historically, there were not any clear-cut boundaries between philosophy and science until 18th century.

Archaic Greece (8th – 6th centuries B.C.) Three main figures (“masters of truth”) The “prophet” The “poet” (ex.: Homer, Hesiod) The “king of justice” Exceptional people who make extensive use of magical – religious speech No argumentation, no proof… The effective power of language –rather than the semantic content that it conveys- is the central element. Recourse to mythology

First philosophers (6th – 5th centuries B.C.) - They did not name themselves as “philosophers”. Their followers (such as Aristotle) would name them thus. - They are usually known as “philosophers of nature”. - No direct reference to myths. Occasional references to gods. - They made use of observation and reasoning. - No original work from them survived.

Thales Anaximander Anaximenes Pythagoras Xenophanes Heraclitus Parmenides Zeno Empedocles Anaxagoras Democritus

Many of these pre-Socratic philosophers speculated on the basic principles of nature. Especially on what “primary matter” is. Thales  water Anaximenes  air

Some others speculated on natural phenomena such as change. Heraclitus “It is not possible to step twice into the same river.” “All things come to be [or, ‘happen’] in accordance with logos [universal reason]”

…and some others speculated on the nature of being and truth Parmenides “Way of Truth” vs. “Way of Opinion” Way of truth: that which “is” (  that which does not change) Way of opinion: that which “is not” (  that which is open to change) -- ex.: physical phenomena etc…  hiercarchy between unchanging objects of reason and the changing objects of empirical research.

The one who gave the term “philosophy” a new, substantial definition. He started a new tradition of philosophy. An Athenian citizen Blamed for “corrupting the young” and “believing in gods other than those of the city”… …and executed following his trial (399 B.C.). Plato’s teacher No written work The main protagonist of many of Plato’s dialogues … and of “The Apology of Socrates”

The founding text of the tradition of Western philosophy Two central themes: 1. Definition of philosophy Philosophy ≠ wisdom “I’m not wise, I’m ignorant” (Apology, 21b5).

Chairephon’s story (21a) Chairephon: Is there anyone wiser than Socrates? Apollo: No. Socrates: I’m not wise. I will show Apollo that there are people who are wiser than me. Politicians? Poets? Craftsmen? Socrates: Maybe what Apollo means is this: The wisest man is the one who is aware that his wisdom is worthless. Man cannot be wise. Only gods can.

Philosophy: The search for wisdom. The search is valuable in itself.

2. Philosophy and the good life Philosophy makes you a better and happier person. It makes your life worth living. “The unexamined life is not worth living” (38a) “You should care for your selves.” (29d)  Philosophy as an art of living