Greek Philosophers

Greek PhilosophersPhilosophers lovers of wisdomSophists workers of wisdom Teachers

phileo = lovesophia = wisdom

If sophia = wisdom and moron = fool, then a sophomore is a wise fool.

Thales of Miletus636-546 B.C.Earliest known philosopherStudied Egyptian and Babylonian astronomy and mathematicsBelieved that the universe was controlled by fixed lawsBasic element water.Got rich with olive presses!

Pythagoras582-500 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

Pythagoras582-500 B.C.Pythagorean Theorem: a2 + b2 = c2a2c2b2

Protagoras485 - 410 B.C.Most famous of the SophistsBelieved that reason and knowledge should be used to achieve a comfortable, safe, and happy life.Teachings to equip citizens for life in the polis:Public speaking oratory and rhetoricPoliticsGrammar languageThe art of being respectable

Plato named one of his dialogues after him.

Hippocrates460-377 B.C.Founded a school of medicineRejected that sickness comes from the godsCareful observations of symptomsAcuteChronicHolistic healingHygieneDietCurative powers of natureThe Hippocratic Oath

Democritus460? - 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

Euclidc.300 B.C.One of the most prominent mathematiciansWrote The Elements Widely used till about 1903.2nd only to the Bible in numbers of translations, publications, and studyGreek Arabic Latin Said to Ptolemy: There is No Royal Road to geometry!

Archimedes287 - 212 B.C.Greek mathematician GeometryWar machines and other devicesTheory of buoyancy - Eureka!Law of the leverArchimedean screw

Archimedean Screw

Modern application of the Archimedean Screw

The Three Most Famous PhilosophersSocrates Plato Aristotle

Socrates469 - 399 B.C.Critic of the SophistsEncouraged students to thinkLeft no writings skepticalDialectic method ConversationalBased upon reason and logicPopular among the youtha gadfly in AthensPlaced on trial for impiety and corrupting the youthWas executed in 399 drank poison hemlock

Socrates469 - 399 B.C.The unexamined life is not worth living. - Socrates -

Socrates469 - 399 B.C.Socratic Method:Admit ignorance.Never rely on tradition.Continuously question.Formulate your own opinions.Test your opinions with others.

Socrates469 - 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

Socrates469 - 399 B.C.The unexamined life is not worth living.

Plato427 - 347 B.C.Preserved and perpetuated the work of SocratesMost important source of info on SocratesFounded the AcademyWrote dialoguesUniversal Forms was a recurring themeThe Republic most important dialogueThose things which are beautiful are also difficult.

Aristotle384 - 322 B.C.Most famous student of PlatoMost famous teacher of Alexander the GreatDeveloped Logic as a field of studyDevised a complex system of classificationUsed in biologyViews on Government

Aristotle384 - 322 B.C.Views on Government3 Good Governments:MonarchyAristocracyDemocracy3 Bad Governments:TyrannyOligarchyMob Rule

Aristotle384 - 322 B.C.All things in moderation

Man is by nature a political animal.

Alexander the Great356 -323 B.C.

Alexander the Great356 -323 B.C.