Greek Philosophers

Greek Philosophers
Philosophers lovers of wisdom Sophists workers of wisdom Teachers phileo = love sophia = wisdom
If sophia = wisdom and moron = fool, then a sophomore is a wise fool.

Thales of Miletus 636-546 B.C.

Earliest known philosopher Studied Egyptian and Babylonian astronomy and mathematics Believed that the universe was controlled by fixed laws Basic element water. Got rich with olive presses!

Pythagoras 582-500 B.C.

The universe could only be understood thru numbers. Sun, moon, and earth revolved around a central fire. Each planet produces a tone! Famous for the Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2

Pythagoras 582-500 B.C. c2

a2 b2

Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2

Protagoras 485 - 410 B.C.

Most famous of the Sophists Believed that reason and knowledge should be used to achieve a comfortable, safe, and happy life. Teachings to equip citizens for life in the polis:
1. 2. 3. 4.

Public speaking oratory and rhetoric Politics Grammar language The art of being respectable

Plato named one of his dialogues after him.

Hippocrates 460-377 B.C.

Founded a school of medicine Rejected that sickness comes from the gods Careful observations of symptoms

Holistic healing

Acute Chronic

The Hippocratic Oath

Hygiene Diet Curative powers of nature

Democritus 460? - 360 B.C.

Developed the atomic theory. Taught that the universe was formed out of chaos through the joining of atoms of like shape and size. Atoma = indivisible particles. the laughing philosopher

Euclid c.300 B.C.

One of the most prominent mathematicians Wrote The Elements

Said to Ptolemy: There is No Royal Road to geometry!

Widely used till about 1903. 2nd only to the Bible in numbers of translations, publications, and study Greek Arabic Latin

Archimedes 287 - 212 B.C.

Greek mathematician Geometry War machines and other devices Theory of buoyancy - Eureka! Law of the lever Archimedean screw

Archimedean Screw

Modern application of the Archimedean Screw

The Three Most Famous Philosophers

Socrates

Plato

Aristotle

Socrates 469 - 399 B.C.

Critic of the Sophists Encouraged students to think Left no writings skeptical Dialectic method

Popular among the youth a gadfly in Athens Placed on trial for impiety and corrupting the youth Was executed in 399 drank poison hemlock

Conversational Based upon reason and logic

Socrates 469 - 399 B.C.

The unexamined life is not worth living.

- Socrates -

Socrates 469 - 399 B.C.

Socratic Method:
I. II.

III.
IV. V.

Admit ignorance. Never rely on tradition. Continuously question. Formulate your own opinions. Test your opinions with others.

Socrates 469 - 399 B.C.

Socrates dialectic method was a departure from earlier philosophers. Earlier philosophers were interested in the nature of the universe and basic elements. Socrates approach was more rigorous and was the forerunner of logic. Most famous student: Plato

Socrates 469 - 399 B.C.

The unexamined life is not worth living.

Plato 427 - 347 B.C.

Preserved and perpetuated the work of Socrates Most important source of info on Socrates Founded the Academy Wrote dialogues

Those things which are beautiful are also difficult.

Universal Forms was a recurring theme The Republic most important dialogue

Aristotle 384 - 322 B.C.

Most famous student of Plato Most famous teacher of Alexander the Great Developed Logic as a field of study Devised a complex system of classification

Views on Government

Used in biology

Aristotle 384 - 322 B.C.

Views on Government

3 Good Governments:

3 Bad Governments:

Monarchy Aristocracy Democracy Tyranny Oligarchy Mob Rule

Aristotle 384 - 322 B.C.

All things in moderation Man is by nature a political animal.

Alexander the Great 356 -323 B.C.

Alexander the Great 356 -323 B.C.