Greek Philosophy

Socrates, Plato, & Aristotle By Mark Spiconardi

Philosophy Philosophy love of wisdom Early Greek philosophers were concerned

with the development of logic and reasoning, and how divine forces worked

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

Beliefs We contain all the knowledge of the world in our

souls Reincarnation

We lose touch with that knowledge after every rebirth

We DO NOT learn new things, but are reminded of what we already know

Socrates (469-399 B.C.) Beliefs

Good is not good because the gods say so Good is measured by practical usefulness

Don’t need religious texts to tell us right from wrong Monotheistic

Did not believe in the multitude of Greek gods & goddesses

Anti-authority Wanted students to question society

Socrates (469-399 B.C.) Legacy

The Socratic Method Teaching by using question-and-answer format to

lead pupils to understanding concepts through reasoning

Let students learn for themselves Leads to modern school system

Death Put on trial & convicted by an Athenian jury of

corrupting the youth of Athens Forced to drink hemlock and commit suicide

Plato (437?-347 BC) “Dictatorship naturally arises out of democracy, and the

most aggravated form of tyranny and slavery out of the most extreme liberty.”

Socrates’ student Wrote down all of Socrates beliefs Considered the greatest philosopher in

Western Civilization

Plato (437?-347 BC) Beliefs

How do we know what’s real? Earth is not real

Must live in a rational state The higher world of eternity is real

The Republic Does not trust democracy Offers his ideal state

Philosopher kings – driven by wisdom Warriors – provide courage Peasants – driven by desire, but would produce

Argued against materialism

Plato (437?-347 BC) Beliefs

Men and women should be educated They should have equal access to all positions Three Levels of Pleasure

Physical i.e. sex

Sensual i.e. admiring beauty or enjoying relationship in marriage

Ideal intellectual love; connecting with another mind No physicality to soil the relationship Platonic love

Plato (437?-347 BC) Beliefs

God is perfect We must strive to resemble God We move closer to God via reincarnation

He created the world out of raw materials Sin is people being ignorant

Do not punish, but reform sinners via education

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) “The worst form of inequality is to try to

make unequal things equal.” Prized student of Plato Teacher of Alexander the Great Lyceum

Built school of philosophy Beautiful grounds with covered walkways Traditional college campuses based on the

Lyceum

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) Beliefs

Three Souls Plant Soul essence of nutrition Animal Soul essence of pleasure, pain, & desire Human Soul essence of reasoning

People learn through reasoning Three forms of government

Monarchy Negative could turn into tyranny

Aristocracy Negative could turn into an oligarchy

Constitutional Monarchy Negative could turn into anarchy

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) Legacy

System of Classification The ologies: biology, zoology, etc. Governments: democracies, oligarchies, tyrannies

Inventor of modern logic p v q

Wrote the first book on psychology