THE GREEK THE GREEK PHILOSOPHYPHILOSOPHY

PLANPLAN

THE THREE PERIODS OF THE GREEK THE THREE PERIODS OF THE GREEK PHILOSOPHYPHILOSOPHY

EARLY GREEK PHILOSOPHY. THE PRE-EARLY GREEK PHILOSOPHY. THE PRE-SOCRATICSSOCRATICS

THE CLASSIC PERIODTHE CLASSIC PERIOD THE ROMAN PERIOD THE ROMAN PERIOD

THE EARLY PERIOD OF THE THE EARLY PERIOD OF THE GREEK PHILOSOPHYGREEK PHILOSOPHY

IV century BC (the appearance of IV century BC (the appearance of philosophical thinking) – V century philosophical thinking) – V century BCBC

The philosophers are called PRE-The philosophers are called PRE-SOCRATICSSOCRATICS

The representatives: Thales, The representatives: Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Heraclitus, Pythagoras, Parmenides, Heraclitus, Pythagoras, Parmenides, Zeno of EleaZeno of Elea

THE CLASSIC PERIODTHE CLASSIC PERIOD

The philosophy changes the sphere The philosophy changes the sphere of its interests – from the cosmogonic of its interests – from the cosmogonic problems to the study of the man problems to the study of the man and the problems of his existenceand the problems of his existence

The representatives: Socrates, Plato, The representatives: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Democritus.Aristotle, Democritus.

THE ROMAN PERIODTHE ROMAN PERIOD

The end of the IV century – V-VI The end of the IV century – V-VI centuriescenturies

There are several schools: There are several schools:

- epicurean (Epicurus)- epicurean (Epicurus)

- skeptics (Pyrrho)- skeptics (Pyrrho)

- stoics (Cicero, Seneca)- stoics (Cicero, Seneca)

THALESTHALES

He was the founder of Greek philosophy. He was the founder of Greek philosophy. Thales became famed for his knowledge of Thales became famed for his knowledge of astronomy after predicting the eclipse of astronomy after predicting the eclipse of the sun that occurred on May 28, 585 bc. the sun that occurred on May 28, 585 bc.

the original principle of all things is water, the original principle of all things is water, from which everything proceeds and into from which everything proceeds and into which everything is again resolved. which everything is again resolved.

Before Thales, explanations of the universe Before Thales, explanations of the universe were mythological, and his concentration were mythological, and his concentration on the basic physical substance of the on the basic physical substance of the world marks the birth of scientific thought. world marks the birth of scientific thought.

ANAXIMANDERANAXIMANDER His contribution was his authorship of the earliest His contribution was his authorship of the earliest

prose work concerning the cosmos and the origins of prose work concerning the cosmos and the origins of life.life.

He conceived of the universe as a number of He conceived of the universe as a number of concentric cylinders, of which the outermost is the concentric cylinders, of which the outermost is the sun, the middle is the moon, and the innermost is the sun, the middle is the moon, and the innermost is the stars. Within these cylinders is the earth, unsupported stars. Within these cylinders is the earth, unsupported and drum-shaped.and drum-shaped.

The origin of the universe as the result of the The origin of the universe as the result of the

separation of opposites from the primordial material. separation of opposites from the primordial material. Hot moved outward, separating from cold, and then Hot moved outward, separating from cold, and then dry from wet. Further, Anaximander held that all dry from wet. Further, Anaximander held that all things eventually return to the element from which things eventually return to the element from which they originated.they originated.

ANAXIMENESANAXIMENES

He held that air is the primary element to He held that air is the primary element to which everything else can be reduced. To which everything else can be reduced. To explain how solid objects are formed from explain how solid objects are formed from air, he introduced the notions of air, he introduced the notions of condensation and rarefaction.condensation and rarefaction.

These processes, he claimed, make air, in These processes, he claimed, make air, in itself invisible, visible as water, fire, and itself invisible, visible as water, fire, and solid matter. He thought that air becomes solid matter. He thought that air becomes warmer and turns to fire when it is rarefied warmer and turns to fire when it is rarefied and that it becomes colder and turns solid and that it becomes colder and turns solid when it is condensed. when it is condensed.

ANAXIMENESANAXIMENES

HERACLITUSHERACLITUS

HERACLITUSHERACLITUS

HE believed that fire is the primordial HE believed that fire is the primordial source of matter and that the entire world is source of matter and that the entire world is in a constant state of change. in a constant state of change.

Heraclitus added to the “being” of his Heraclitus added to the “being” of his predecessors the concept of “becoming,” or predecessors the concept of “becoming,” or flux, which he took to be a basic reality flux, which he took to be a basic reality underlying all things, even the most underlying all things, even the most apparently stable. In ethics he introduced a apparently stable. In ethics he introduced a new social emphasis, holding virtue to new social emphasis, holding virtue to consist in a subordination of the individual consist in a subordination of the individual to the laws of a universal, reasonable to the laws of a universal, reasonable harmony. harmony.

PYTHAGORASPYTHAGORAS

PYTHAGORASPYTHAGORAS

HE referred to certain mysteries. HE referred to certain mysteries. Obedience and silence, simplicity in dress Obedience and silence, simplicity in dress

and possessions, and the habit of frequent and possessions, and the habit of frequent self-examination were prescribed. The self-examination were prescribed. The Pythagoreans believed in immortality and Pythagoreans believed in immortality and in the transmigration of souls.in the transmigration of souls.

He cultivated the concept of number, He cultivated the concept of number, which became for him the ultimate which became for him the ultimate principle of all proportion, order, and principle of all proportion, order, and harmony in the universe. harmony in the universe.

PARMENIDESPARMENIDES

PARMENIDESPARMENIDES Greek philosopher, considered by many Greek philosopher, considered by many

scholars the greatest member of the Eleatic scholars the greatest member of the Eleatic school. school.

Parmenides held that the phenomena of Parmenides held that the phenomena of nature are only apparent and due to human nature are only apparent and due to human error; they seem to exist, but have no real error; they seem to exist, but have no real existence. He also held that reality, True existence. He also held that reality, True Being, is not known to the senses but is to be Being, is not known to the senses but is to be found only in reason. found only in reason.

Parmenides' theory that Being cannot arise Parmenides' theory that Being cannot arise from Nonbeing, and that Being neither arises from Nonbeing, and that Being neither arises nor passes away, was applied to matter by his nor passes away, was applied to matter by his successors, who made it the foundation of successors, who made it the foundation of their materialistic explanations of the universe.their materialistic explanations of the universe.

SOPHISTSSOPHISTS Sophists (Greek - man of wisdom), a name Sophists (Greek - man of wisdom), a name

applied to teachers who provided instruction applied to teachers who provided instruction in several higher branches of learning for a in several higher branches of learning for a fee.fee.

the Sophists popularized the ideas of various the Sophists popularized the ideas of various early philosophers; most of them concluded early philosophers; most of them concluded that truth and morality were essentially that truth and morality were essentially matters of opinion. Thus, in their own matters of opinion. Thus, in their own teaching, they tended to emphasize forms of teaching, they tended to emphasize forms of persuasive expression, such as the art of persuasive expression, such as the art of rhetoric, which provided pupils with skills rhetoric, which provided pupils with skills useful for achieving success in life, particularly useful for achieving success in life, particularly public life.public life.

• By working through series of questions, Socrates thought people could discover basic nature of life

• Method of learning through questions called the Socratic method

Socratic Method

• Socrates believed philosophers could learn what made good people, societies by asking questions

• Started with basic questions, like “What is truth?”

• Socrates followed up with more questions

Asking QuestionsPhilosophy of SocratesPhilosophy of Socrates

Theory of GovernmentTheory of Government Philosophers most qualified to make good decisionsPhilosophers most qualified to make good decisions

Did not support Athenian democracy in which all men could Did not support Athenian democracy in which all men could take parttake part

Plato wanted to make philosopher’s education more formalPlato wanted to make philosopher’s education more formal

Founded the Academy, which in Plato’s lifetime became Founded the Academy, which in Plato’s lifetime became most important site for Greek philosophers to do their workmost important site for Greek philosophers to do their work

PlatoPlato One of Socrates’ students, became great philosopher in own One of Socrates’ students, became great philosopher in own

rightright

Left behind great number of writings that record ideas on Left behind great number of writings that record ideas on wide variety of topics, from nature of truth to ideal form of wide variety of topics, from nature of truth to ideal form of governmentgovernment

TheThe Republic Republic argues that government should be led by argues that government should be led by philosophersphilosophers

The Third PhilosopherThe Third Philosopher Aristotle was among students who studied at the AcademyAristotle was among students who studied at the Academy More concerned with nature of world that surrounded himMore concerned with nature of world that surrounded him Tried to apply philosophical principles to every kind of knowledgeTried to apply philosophical principles to every kind of knowledge

Inferring New FactsInferring New Facts Aristotle also helped develop field of Aristotle also helped develop field of logiclogic, process of making , process of making

inferencesinferences Example: birds have feathers, lay eggs; owls have feathers, lay Example: birds have feathers, lay eggs; owls have feathers, lay

eggs; therefore, owl must be a type of birdeggs; therefore, owl must be a type of bird

Emphasis on Reason and LogicEmphasis on Reason and Logic Emphasis on reason, logicEmphasis on reason, logic ReasonReason, clear and ordered thinking; use reason to learn about , clear and ordered thinking; use reason to learn about

worldworld Observe carefully, think rationally about what one has seenObserve carefully, think rationally about what one has seen

AristotleAristotle

SOCRATESSOCRATES

I KNOW THAT I KNOW NOTHINGI KNOW THAT I KNOW NOTHING THE POWER SHOULD BELONG TO THE POWER SHOULD BELONG TO

THE BEST, I.E. WISE AND ABLE TO THE BEST, I.E. WISE AND ABLE TO LEARN THE ART OF GOVERNING LEARN THE ART OF GOVERNING

HE CRITISIZED THE GREEK HE CRITISIZED THE GREEK DEMOCRACYDEMOCRACY

DEMOCRITUSDEMOCRITUS HE developed the atomic theory of the universe.HE developed the atomic theory of the universe. All things are composed of minute, invisible, All things are composed of minute, invisible,

particles of pure matter (atoma), which move particles of pure matter (atoma), which move about eternally in infinite empty space (kenon).about eternally in infinite empty space (kenon).

Although atoms are made up of precisely the Although atoms are made up of precisely the same matter, they differ in shape, size, weight, same matter, they differ in shape, size, weight, sequence, and position. The creation of worlds sequence, and position. The creation of worlds as the natural consequence of the ceaseless as the natural consequence of the ceaseless whirling motion of atoms in space. Atoms collide whirling motion of atoms in space. Atoms collide and spin, forming larger aggregations of matter.and spin, forming larger aggregations of matter.

PLATOPLATO

HE was the first to use the term philosophy, HE was the first to use the term philosophy, which means “love of knowledge.” which means “love of knowledge.”

Chief among his ideas was the theory of Chief among his ideas was the theory of forms, which proposed that objects in the forms, which proposed that objects in the physical world merely resemble perfect physical world merely resemble perfect forms in the ideal world, and that only forms in the ideal world, and that only these perfect forms can be the object of these perfect forms can be the object of true knowledge. true knowledge.

The goal of the philosopher, according to The goal of the philosopher, according to Plato, is to know the perfect forms and to Plato, is to know the perfect forms and to instruct others in that knowledge.instruct others in that knowledge.

Plato’s Method of InquiryPlato’s Method of Inquiry

Plato points up to the heavenly Forms, which are known to us from birth even though we need “gadflies” such as Socrates to help us remember what we know.

His method of inquiry is to ask questions that stimulate the memory.

Aristotle holds his hand flat, to show that the objects of human knowledge are things in this world, which can only be known through sense experience.

His method of inquiry is to abstract ideas from empirical observations.

AristotleAristotle Born in 384.Born in 384. From the From the

northwestern northwestern edge of the edge of the Greek Empire Greek Empire in Stagira. in Stagira.

Father was Father was physician to physician to King Amyntas King Amyntas of Macedonia.of Macedonia.

A Student of PlatoA Student of Plato Aristotle came to Aristotle came to

Athens to study under Athens to study under Plato from the age of Plato from the age of 18 to 37.18 to 37.

Eventually he Eventually he classified the classified the branches of branches of knowledge into knowledge into categories, including: categories, including: physics, psychology, physics, psychology, poetics, logic, and poetics, logic, and rhetoric. rhetoric.

Tutor of Alexander the Tutor of Alexander the GreatGreat

Around 340 B.C., when he was over 40, Aristotle Around 340 B.C., when he was over 40, Aristotle returned to his home, Stagira, and he became tutor returned to his home, Stagira, and he became tutor to the king’s son, soon to become Alexander the to the king’s son, soon to become Alexander the Great. Alexander, through military campaigns, Great. Alexander, through military campaigns, would later expand the empire of Greece to cover would later expand the empire of Greece to cover all of the Mideast reaching all the way to India. all of the Mideast reaching all the way to India.

ARISTOTLEARISTOTLE

HE proposed a finite, spherical universe, with HE proposed a finite, spherical universe, with the earth at its center. The central region is the earth at its center. The central region is made up of four elements: earth, air, fire, and made up of four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. water.

The heavens, therefore, must be made of a The heavens, therefore, must be made of a fifth, and different element, which he called fifth, and different element, which he called Ether.Ether.

In reasoning, the basic links are syllogisms: In reasoning, the basic links are syllogisms: pairs of propositions that, taken together, give pairs of propositions that, taken together, give a new conclusion. For example, “All humans a new conclusion. For example, “All humans are mortal” and “All Greeks are humans” yield are mortal” and “All Greeks are humans” yield the valid conclusion “All Greeks are mortal.”the valid conclusion “All Greeks are mortal.”

EPICURUSEPICURUS

The essential doctrine of Epicureanism is that The essential doctrine of Epicureanism is that pleasure is the supreme good and main goal of pleasure is the supreme good and main goal of life. life.

Intellectual pleasures are preferred to sensual Intellectual pleasures are preferred to sensual ones, which tend to disturb peace of mind.ones, which tend to disturb peace of mind.

True happiness, Epicurus taught, is the True happiness, Epicurus taught, is the serenity resulting from the conquest of fear of serenity resulting from the conquest of fear of the gods, of death, and of the afterlife. the gods, of death, and of the afterlife.

The ultimate aim of all Epicurean speculation The ultimate aim of all Epicurean speculation about nature is to rid people of such fears.about nature is to rid people of such fears.

ZENO, STOICISMZENO, STOICISM

Zeno founded his own school of philosophy, Zeno founded his own school of philosophy, known as Stoicism. known as Stoicism.

Good lies not in external objects, but in the Good lies not in external objects, but in the state of the soul itself, in the wisdom and state of the soul itself, in the wisdom and restraint by which a person is delivered restraint by which a person is delivered from the passions and desires that perturb from the passions and desires that perturb the ordinary life. The four cardinal virtues of the ordinary life. The four cardinal virtues of the Stoic philosophy are wisdom, courage, the Stoic philosophy are wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, a classification justice, and temperance, a classification derived from the teachings of Plato.derived from the teachings of Plato.

SophistsSophists

Their point of view is reflected in their Their point of view is reflected in their maxims “Man is the measure of all things” maxims “Man is the measure of all things”

and “Nothing is; or if anything is, it cannot and “Nothing is; or if anything is, it cannot be known.” be known.”

THEY declared that all statements THEY declared that all statements concerning reality are false and that, even concerning reality are false and that, even if true, their truth can never be proved. if true, their truth can never be proved.

THEY taught that human beings can know THEY taught that human beings can know only their perceptions of things, not the only their perceptions of things, not the things themselves.things themselves.