Classical Philosophy
The golden age of Greece was an age of thinking, of knowledge, and of the arts. Some of the greatest minds of any time projected their ideas upon the masses. They were called philosophers. These were men whose minds developed some of the most abstract and revolutionary ideas of the time. Some of them were put to death for their ideas and their beliefs and became martyrs for their cause. During this age, three philosophers in particular stood out from the rest.
Socrates
Socrates was the first of the three great philosophers. Before devoting his life to his teachings and philosophies, he was a stonemason and also served as a soldier of some distinction during the Peloponnesian war. He never wrote any of his teachings
…show more content…
Comparative with Socrates, before starting his own philosophical career (if that is what one can call it), he served in the Peloponnesian war. After the war was over, he devoted a significant portion of his life to following Socrates and documenting his conversations with the youth of Athens and also learning from him at the same time.
Plato was very interested in a career in politics, but after the death of Socrates and numerous other occasions involving the politicians of Athens, he gave up his ambitions and fled to Egypt, and after that, traveled to Italy. In Egypt, he learned of the water clock and later introduced it to Athens. His trip to Italy was of greater importance. There he met Pythagoras and came to appreciate the workings of mathematics. He also learned with the disciples of Pythagoras, learning from them and developing his idea ‘... that the reality which scientific thought is seeking must be expressible in mathematical terms, mathematics being the most precise and definite kind of thinking of which we are capable. The significance of this idea for the development of science from the first beginnings to the present day has been immense.’
Not long after his return to Athens, there was a period of war and again he entered military service and was decorated highly for his bravery in war. It is also generally believed that he began to write his texts during this period.
In most
Most of the information that we learn about Socrates comes from the work and writings of one of his students, Plato. It has been alleged that the great Philosopher wrote nothing down for others to read, and as such, the knowledge and the teachings from Socrates that is relied upon to convey his philosophy and the epic story of his life comes not from himself, but his students who attempt to provide and accurate picture of the methods and philosophical beliefs held by their mentor and teacher.
Socrates was not a professional teacher, however, he had a significant position as a citizen and hoplite. Socrates hasn’t written any of his teachings, in fact, what is known of him has been written by his follower, Plato. Most of his teachings were in the form of a conversation. One of his main teachings was that one should take responsibility for one’s action. In 399 BCE he was accused of disloyalty to the gods and corruption of the youth, and he was sentenced the death penalty. Socrates had the opportunity to go on exile and escape the death penalty; however, he decided to stay in prison and face the consequences of his actions. Socrates is significant because he taught his followers to question and examine every aspect of life. Thus, he paved the way for the other philosophers that came after
Interestingly about the work of Socrates is that its not known very well, since nothing was recorded during his time. Everything that we know about Socrates has come through the writings of his greatest pupil, Plato. Socrates was a
Socrates has a unique position in the history of philosophy. On one hand he is the most influential on another he is the least known. In his later life he is seen to stalk the streets barefoot, to spite shoemakers. He went about arguing and questioning people and revealing inconsistencies in their beliefs. He began teaching students but never accepted payments for doing so. This was possible because of the inheritance left by his father. Socrates wrote nothing of himself so we are dependent upon the works of both his students and associates who present a view as close to
When looking at history and try to discover famous thinkers in our society, many men and women stand out. Famous thinkers are people who used critical thinking and perseverance to overcome adversity to succeed. The two that stand out in my mind are Bill Gates and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lets discuss their contributions to society as a whole, the problems or issues that they resolved, and how they were able to come up with their solutions.
In Ancient Greece, the great heights that were reached in education, technology, and government led them to their Golden Age. Included in the vast education of Greece were philosophy and literature. Socrates was one of the most famous philosophers of that time. He was a
He was comparing himself as a gadfly and the state of Athens to horse or an animal to annoy, with his constant buzzing and annoying he tries to tell the state to a wider truth surrounding them. He thought this role was central importance to the city’s health and wellbeing because he has been giving a lot to the city and that his philosophy and his developed reputation of being the wisest, giving wisdom to the people of Athens is helping them out. His very public function had to be carried out in private because “A man who really fights for justice must lead a private not public, life,” so when he started fighting for justice in the Athenian society he decided to have a private life and not a public one for “that’s how a man really fights for
Plato was born in Athens, Greece around 427 B.C. He was always interested in politics, until he witnessed his mentor and teacher, Socrates, death. After learning of the callousness of politics, Plato changed his mind and eventually opened up The Academy, which is considered if not the first, one of the first Universities. Students at the Academy studied many different fields of science, including biological and astronomical. The students also studied many other fields, such as math. Plato developed many views that were mathematical in nature. He expressed these views through his writings. According to Dr. Calkins of Andrew University, "Timaeus is probably the most renowned of Plato's thirty-five dialogues. [In it] Plato expresses that he
Socrates was born to a middle-class Athenian family. “Phaenarete, a midwife, and Sophroniscus, a stonemason welcomed Socrates into the world in 469 B.C.E” (Ambury). Socrates grew into a young man with an odd physical appearance. He did not have the male beauty that was sought after in his culture. Although, he didn’t seem to mind much as he was focused on enlightenment. Socrates would spend much of his time searching for truth. Socrates goal was to discover the truth behind the creation of the earth, the people, and the role of the gods. In searching for truth, he created a new method known as the Socratic Method. Plato became one of his students and was intrigued by his new way of thinking. “Socrates would later fight in the Peloponnesian
philosophy. Although he was well known for his philosophical ways of thinking, Socrates never wrote anything down, so we are dependent
Socrates was a renowned philosopher in the ancient Grecian times. His peak was around the Peloponnesian War, when the Spartans defeated the Athenians and ended the Golden Age. The reason Socrates is one of histories most famous philosophers is largely due to Plato's writings. Two of Plato's famous works include The Apology and The Republic, both written about Socrates' views about the so called "wise philosophers" of his time. The two works hold unique views about government, as well as opening the eyes of the Grecian people to the world as they knew it.
Socrates is known in todays world as one of the greatest philosophers in history. He brought many revolutionary ideas to ancient Athens during his life and even after his death. He had many followers that beloved him even till death. His tragic death only led him to become a martyr for philosophy. Socrates never wrote anything down so what we know of his life is the from the records left by his followers, mainly Plato.
Socrates is known in today’s world as one of the greatest philosophers in history. Born in 469 BC just outside of Athens, Socrates was properly brought up and thoroughly educated, he developed both physical and mental strengths. Socrates spent time with the philosopher Archelaus, where he studied astronomy, mathematics, and was introduced to philosophy. Archelaus taught with a scientific approach. Socrates turned from this approach and created his own. He decided instead of trying to understand the universe, he would try to understand himself. Socrates spent many days in the Athens marketplace where he became skilled in the art of arguing.
Drama."3 These changes led to the development of more actors in a play and the
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and scientist who lived from 384-322 B.C who was born in Stagira, Macedonia. His father played a major role in society as a physician in the royal court. Young Aristotle took a liking to Plato and decided to go to his academy at the age of seventeen. For the next twenty years, Aristotle remained there first as a student then as a teacher. After the death of Plato, Aristotle moved to Assos in the Asia Minor where he tutored his friend Hermias who was the ruler there and decided to marry his niece. After his death he then tutored Alexander the Great at the capital of Macedonia known as Pella. Later in his life, Aristotle decided to move back to Athens, Greece to open up his own school known as Lyceum.