Aristotle, Plato and Socrates
Aristotle
- greek philosopher whose name means "the best purpose"
- very important founding person in western philosophy
- wrote about physics, poetry, theatre, music, logic, politics, government, ethics, biology, etc
- born in 384 BC in Stageira Chalcidice (north greece)
- died in 322 BC 61-62 yrs old
- Nicomachus, his dad was a personal physician to the king of macedon
- Married Pythis
- first trained in medicine
- at 18 he went to platos academy in Athens to continue his education
- studied philosophy with plato while there
- stayed at the academy for 20 years before quitting
- traveled to Asia with his friend, Hermias of Atarneus, to study biology
- was brought up and then trained and educated to be a member of the government, Aristocracy
Plato
- Born around 428 BC into distinguished, wealthy Athenian family
- original name-Aristocles meaning "best" but wrestling coach called him Platon because of his wide shoulders
- 2 brothers and 1 sister
- father died when young and mom remarried
- outstanding as a youth in sports, music, academics
- studied music and poetry at the gymnasium owned by Dionysios
- During war with Sparta, he won Athenian prize for bravery
- student of Socrates at age 20 in 407
- adopted style to philosophy and debate
- believed that justice is the most important virtue
- developed foundations of metaphysics and epistemology
- died 347 BC
Socrates
- classical greek Athenian philosopher
- on of the founders of western philosophy
- known for contribution to ethics
- born and spent all his life in Athens 469-399
- His father was Sophroniscus and his mother was Phaenarete
- attended school of Athens
- Military at age 18-hoplite soldier in peloponnesian war against Sparta
- son of stonemason-poverty
- completed two works of sculpture
- spent time in market and gym where converse with men of intellect
- people were charmed b his wit, humor, and kindly disposition
- wife named xanthippe
- served on legislative council of 500
- accused of atheist and corrupting the youth of Athens, accepted death penalty, drinking hemlock and died
Aristotle
- known for greek philosophy
- granddaddy of the scientific method
- relying on reason rather than experiment
- writing about philosophies
- was taught by Plato
- taught Alexander the Great
Plato
- great philosopher
- wrote The Republic
- taugh Aristotle
- was taught by Socrates
- thought most people were stupid
Socrates
- known for endless questioning
- never lecturing
- obsessing over the truth and how to find it
- using irony in teaching his students
- taught Plato
- committing suicide by force
Contributions
Aristotle
- overall study and teaching of physics
Plato
- major contributions are in philosophy, mathematics, and science
- founded a school of learning called the Academy
around 387 - thought best and brightest should rule the government and that should be all they do
- thought all people should be educated to have the best society
Socrates
- He fought in the Peloponnesian war
- didnt charge for schooling
- most known for
- devotion to ethics
- method of reasoning
- linking knowledge and happiness
- rationalism (finding the truth through reasoning)
- Socratic Method
- socratic irony- pretended he knew nothing to get answers from people
- teaching method
- problem/question
- student learns through self studying
- you are wise when you know yourself
- reasoning leads to skill
Athenian Religion
Polytheism
- many god and goddesses
- were immortal, they were not all powerful
- gods had human traits and emotions, and munipulated humans
- believed in underworld
- mythology-using myths to teach lessons and tell stories
- Believed gods provided everything to live
- ceremonies performed for one particular god or goddesses
- sacrificing domestic animals
- sacrificing formed a bond between humans and the gods
- strived to please the gods to gain favor
Zeus
- child of Cronus and Rhea
- overthrew his father
- King of the Gods
- god of sky, weather, law, order, and fate
- married to Hera
- fathered many gods/heroes
- symbols thunderbolt, eagle, bull, oak
Poseidon
- swallowed by cronus at birth but was later saved
- god of sea, earthquakes, and horses
- married to Amphitrite
- father of Theseus
- often changed into shape of horse
Hades
- oldest male child of Cronus and Rhea
- god of underworld and precious metal under earth
- obtained his wife Persephone through trickery and abduction
- has a helmet that makes him invisible
Hera
- queen of all gods
- protected women and marriage
- "lady"
- Amazon protector
- married to and a sister of Zeus
Athena
- born out of Zeus's head
- Zeuss favorite
- daughter of Zeus
- goddess of strategic war, wisdom and justice, and city and agriculture
Apollo
- son of Zeus
- twin to Artemis
- god of music, light, healing, and truth
- drove the sun
- never married but had children
Artemis
- Daughter of Zeus and Leto
- Virgin Goddess of the Hunt
- Twin to Apollo
- could bring sudden death with one arrow
Ares
- god of war, battlelust, civil order, and manly behavior
- son of Zeus and Hera
- had a long affair with Aphrodite during which he had 4 sons and 1 daughter
- The planet mars is named after his roman equivalent
Aphrodite
- goddess of love, beauty, and fertility
- also a protectress of sailors
- born from sea foam
- most beautiful woman in the world (Paris)
Myths
- zeus was son of cronus
- Cronos was destined to be overthrown by a son
- Zeus escaped and freed his sibling and imprisoned Cronus
- Zeus married Metis but his authority made him arrogant
- killed metis and Athena was born from his head
- Athen is Zeus' most trusted
- Athen was a great goddess who never lost her cool
- has a temple in Athens
- Medusa would flaunt her beauty for she was almost as beautiful as Athena
- Medusa made Athena angry and turned her beloved hair into serpents
- Medusa looked into a living things eyes it would turn to stone
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