Greek Philosophe

rsLovers of Wisdom

Socrates

• Born in Athens 470 BC• Fought in some wars for Athens• Received big chunk of money after his

father died• Began to spend his time questioning

aristocratic (rich) youth about common beliefs

Socratic Method

• Used questioning for every question

• Defined truths common to all men

• Defended the social order (state)

• Believed standards existed for truth and justice

Socrates End

• Parents didn’t like what he was “teaching” their students – students began to question to many things

• Convicted by the courts for “corrupting the youth” and sentenced to death

• Could have escaped but felt it is the duty of all citizens to obey laws, even if they are unjust

• Drank poison and died among his friends!!!!

PLATO • Born in Athens 428 BC

• Student of Socrates – Plato introduces the world to

his teacher, Socrates

The Cave

• There is perfection but humans can’t understand or see it.

• Chained to a wall with a candle behind• One escapes into “reality”• Is it reality, would you believe• Humankind is chained by its limitations

Plato and The Republic

• Discusses what is virtue, justice, wisdom, and courage

• Examines various forms of governments and finds their flaws, including democracy

The Republic – Main Ideas• Most people are not intelligent enough to vote

• Educated class should rule

• Best government would feature PHILOSPHER KINGS– Educated and wise– Born into leadership

Was Plato correct about humankind?

• Founded The Academy in Athens, 387 BC–School to educate the

youth of Athens in philosophy

–School lasted 900 years

Roman mosaic of Plato’s Academy

Aristotle

• Born in Macedonia (above Greece) 384 BC • Student of Plato• Teacher to Alexander the Great• Founded the Lyceum in Athens, 335 BC

– school of philosophy which rivaled the Academy

• Sought to bring order to chaos

Bring Order to Chaos

• Studied several different areas– Biology– Astronomy– Government

• Tried to classify areas to bring structure

Politics

• Good Governments• Rule for the

common interest– Monarchy

– Aristocracy

– Polity

• Corrupt Governments

• Rule for their own interests– Tyranny– Oligarchy– Democracy (mob

rule)

* He collected and studied the constitutions of over 150 city states before writing the Politics.* Established a famous classification of six types of rule