Greek Philosophy

World History - Libertyville HS

What is philosophy?• Literally means “Lover

of Wisdom”• Attempt to explain &

describe world around us rationally or logically

• Difference between philosophy & religion: religion involves notion of God(s) and faith

Socrates (470-399 BC)• Athenian philosopher• Beliefs

– All people should try to do good

– People who failed to do good were either ignorant or evil

– One has an obligation to disobey a bad command

– Believed in virtue as a key characteristic

– Advocated republics led by a philosopher-King

Life of Socrates• Lived during Peloponnesian

War, in which he fought• Traveled Greece as a

wandering philosopher• Taught in exchange, for

food / clothing• Sentenced to death by

Athenian democracy– “Corrupting Athenian youth”– He had upset powerful people– Sentenced to death by his own

hand – drank hemlock (poison)

Plato (428-347 BC)• Devoted student of Socrates• After his death, Plato traveled

the known world (Italy, Sicily, Egypt) teaching in style of Socrates

• Returned to Athens and founded school outside of city – the Academy– Taught there for rest of his life– Academy continued until 529

AD, when it was closed by Roman Emperor; considered a threat to spread of Christianity

Plato’s Beliefs• Wrote and expanded upon

Socrates’ teaching• Wrote The Republic

– Showed an idealized form of government led by philosopher king

– Explicitly rejected Athenian democracy, b/c so few were fit to rule

• Also wrote about conflict between nature and nurture

• His writings were treasured by Eastern RE, Muslims

Aristotle (384-322 BC)• Studied with Plato at the

Academy• After Plato’s death, he taught

kids of several royal families• Invited to teach Alexander of

Macedon– Taught him for 5 years– Had great influence on

Alexander’s thinking• Upon Alexander’s elevation to

throne, Aristotle returned to Greece to found the Lyceum

Aristotle’s Teaching• Wrote about everything from

logic / reasoning to physical sciences– Focused on balancing

between competing bad impulses (vices) to find virtue

– Advocated continuous good behavior rather than specific good acts

– Also emphasized situational ethics (what’s good at one time might not be in another)

Influence of Aristotle• Most influential ancient

Greek philosopher on Western thought– Considered “The

Philosopher” by medieval western scholars

– Also had profound influence on Muslim philosophers

• His ideas and methodology were basis of Scientific Method

Arabic Aristotle teaching (R)