Philosophy AND The Great Philosophy AND The Great Western PhilosopherWestern Philosopher

PHILOSOPHY AND SOCRATESPHILOSOPHY AND SOCRATES

““PhilosophyPhilosophy””, which means “the love of wisdom, which means “the love of wisdom””..

It seeks to trace everything back to its “ultimate It seeks to trace everything back to its “ultimate groundsgrounds”” (typical characteristic of a philosopher). (typical characteristic of a philosopher).– Ex: What is the origin of the universe? Ex: What is the origin of the universe?

Philosophy seeks to know why there is a universe at all.Philosophy seeks to know why there is a universe at all.

Socrates—the “sophistsSocrates—the “sophists”” ---the maturity of ---the maturity of ancient Greek philosophy.ancient Greek philosophy.

– Born in Athens (469 - 399 B.C.)Born in Athens (469 - 399 B.C.)– Ugly, yet mind was creative, clear, critical, and Ugly, yet mind was creative, clear, critical, and

eagereager

The Great Western PhilosopherThe Great Western Philosopher

Socrates did not record any of his work.Socrates did not record any of his work.

Plato took on the role of student and passed on Plato took on the role of student and passed on his work.his work.

Teaching methodTeaching method– Socrates did not use “spoon-feeding” method, but Socrates did not use “spoon-feeding” method, but

“dialogue -- questions and answers”.“dialogue -- questions and answers”.

– what, where, when, why, how, etc.what, where, when, why, how, etc.

The Great Western PhilosopherThe Great Western Philosopher

Socrates liked using examples of daily affairs to Socrates liked using examples of daily affairs to enlighten his students.enlighten his students.

Socrates’ divine mission “was to expose the Socrates’ divine mission “was to expose the ignorance of those who thought themselves ignorance of those who thought themselves wisewise”--Plato”--Plato

Thinking question: Why do you think this was Socrates’ mission?

The Great Western PhilosopherThe Great Western Philosopher

Downfall of AthensDownfall of Athens Athens is recovering from the defeat of the Athens is recovering from the defeat of the

Peloponnesian War. Peloponnesian War. Socrates admired Sparta, especially after this defeat.Socrates admired Sparta, especially after this defeat.

Thinking Question: Why is this troubling for the Thinking Question: Why is this troubling for the council of Athens? Or council of Athens? Or Could this cause problems for Socrates? Why?

Socrates’ TrialSocrates’ Trial Accused of corrupting the minds of young Athenians.Accused of corrupting the minds of young Athenians.

Athenians believed that Socrates was causing the youth to Athenians believed that Socrates was causing the youth to be disobedient by having them ask questions.be disobedient by having them ask questions.

According to Xenophon’s story about the According to Xenophon’s story about the trial:trial:

– Socrates gave the jury reasons to sentence him Socrates gave the jury reasons to sentence him to death.to death.

– He was executed by drinking poison.He was executed by drinking poison.

Socrates’ ContributionsSocrates’ Contributions

1. Socrates 1. Socrates questioned the moral questioned the moral and political aspects of and political aspects of Athens.Athens.

2. Used inductive 2. Used inductive reasoning, which is to reasoning, which is to make conclusions.---make conclusions.---Scientific Method.Scientific Method.

Did he show the meaning of Did he show the meaning of commitment?commitment?

– Some say he could have escaped the death Some say he could have escaped the death sentence, but went through it because it went sentence, but went through it because it went against his way of thinking.against his way of thinking.

Did Athens use Socrates as a Did Athens use Socrates as a scapegoat?scapegoat?

What does scapegoat mean?What does scapegoat mean?

Why would Athens do so? Why would Athens do so?

You need to choose whether Socrates is You need to choose whether Socrates is guilty or not. guilty or not.