greek philosophy socrates, plato and aristotle. socrates (469-399 bc) socrates is credited as being...
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GREEK PHILOSOPHYSocrates, Plato and Aristotle
Socrates (469-399 BC)Socrates is credited as being
one of the founders of Western philosophy
Plato’s Dialogues are the most comprehensive account of Socrates
Well known for his “Socratic Method” of questioning.
Contributions to the field of epistemology and logic.
Socrates’ Life and Death
Socrates lived during the height of Athenian military success and the defeat of it during the Peloponnesian War.
He was considered to be a social “gadfly” in Athenian. Questioning the government, democracy.
This title emerges when his friend ask the oracle at Delphi if anyone is wiser than Socrates.
The oracle declares that no on is and Socrates tests this claim by approaching other men who are considered to be wise in Athenian society and questions them.
After speaking to these “wise” men he realized that the oracle was correct as these men thought they were wise but they were not.
After Athens’ defeat in the Peloponnesian war, Socrates was an scapegoat, charged for corrupting the youth.
He was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock poisoning.
The Socratic Method A dialectic method of inquiry To solve a problem, it should be broken down into a
series of questions. The answers to these questions would help one
discover the answer they are seeking. The questions help one understand their underlying
beliefs and the extent of their knowledge. It is a negative method of idea elimination by
identifying ideas that led to contradictions. Used in courtrooms today.
Explanation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4I2lfcZUnM&feature=related
Now try the Socratic method yourself!
The Socratic Method in Court
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acUFdP7N1vw
Plato (428/27-348/347 BC)
Founded the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning.
Smarter students would become “guardians”---go onto further education.
Major ideas include: Categories or archetypes, theories of politics outlined in the Republic (an attempt to find and define the nature of justice and whether it is always better to be just than unjust).
Aristotle criticized his view for overvaluing political unity and embracing a sense of communism that neglects the happiness of the individual.
Allegory of the Cave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQfRdl3GTw4
The Matrix
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te6qG4yn-Ps
Aristotle (384-322 BC) He was born in Macedonia and
studied at Plato’s Academy. Expected to be Plato’s successor in
running the school. However, Plato named his nephew successor.
He started his own school called the Lyceum.
Thousands of students. Taught Alexander the Great. He had to flee from Athens when
Alexander died.
His Paradigm of an Ideal/ non-Ideal Constitution
Published in his book Politics. Constitution: a certain way of organizing those
who inhabit the city-state.
Good (Correct) Bad (Deviant)
ONE Ruler Kingship/ Monarchy- ruler with best interest of people in mind.
Tyranny- the interest of the ruler only
FEW Rulers Aristocracy- ruled by the “well-born”, those of noble family.
Oligarchy (rich)- seeks to further the interest of the wealthy few.
MANY Rulers Polity (Middle Class)- all inclusive political government, everyone has a share in it.
Democracy (poor)- “rule by the people”, Aristotle referred to it as “rule exclusively by the poor, in their own interest.”