Philosophy and Heraclitus

Abstract: Thales is the Greek philosopher, he is the first person to investigate the basic principles, the question of the substance of matter, and he foundered the school of natural philosophy. He is in among seven sages of Greece. He did research almost all areas of knowledge, mathematics, politics, history, science, engineering, and philosophy. He suggested concepts to explain many of the events of nature, the main substance, the support of the earth, and the cause of change. Water was his first principle and he wrote anything many ancient people reports credit him with writings. Homer known as the first Greek poet, he is the one who started write down the

This paper looks at two Greek philosophers, Heraclitus, and Parmenides. It examines their different theories as to how the universe was created, understanding of the universe, 'way of truth, ' 'way of opinion ' and the third way. The author explains that Parmenides, who came after Heraclitus, addressed part of his writings as a refutation of Heraclitus? views. He objected both to Heraclitus? view of the universe and how Heraclitus felt people could gain knowledge of it.

The Greek influences inform modern American culture through their complex system of government, and from their advanced conceptual practices of modern-day mathematics. Also, the revolutionary progresses of this ancient era have impacted societies as a whole, from some of their ingenious inventions which have been innovated and modified into the most recognized designs of latter-day civilizations. Besides from informing, the Greeks not only continue to inspire American culture from their successes, but also, many other cultures of the world, and their artists, in distinction to the perceptive ancient art, poetry, and literature of that time.

Greek mathematical and scientific ideas have also been a large contribution. Euclid, a Greek mathematician, wrote many theorems. His theorems have been very substantial because they are included in today’s mathematical problems. One of his theorems include “If two straight lines cut one another, the vertical, or opposite, angles shall be equal.” This specific theorem is used in proofs and it proves that all vertical angles are equal. Hippocrates was a Greek physician who created the Hippocratic Oath. This oath

People know Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius as one of the most accomplished men of his time and beyond. The Roman scholar, poet, orator, musician, and philosopher gave much of his knowledge to the ancient world in his lifetime. Through his writings and translations, Boethius made important contributions to the Middle Ages, and gave people a better understanding of ancient times. Boethius also proved himself to be a gifted man, making him worthy of praise up to today. For these reasons, many remember the life of Boethius.

Heraclitus and Parmenides were two of the most influential and enigmatic of the Presocratic philosophers. Heraclitus argued for the idea that reality is impermanent, while Parmenides argued that reality is static. Parmenides also focused on using rationality to discern the nature of reality, as opposed to Heraclitus’ use of sensory experiences. They both argued for reality being one distinct thing, however there are differences between them in this idea of unity. Nietzsche 's perspectivism is important in discussing the problems with either view as we should take the strengths and weakness of both into account to create a better understanding of the world.

To describe the world of Oedipus Rex I have selected the phrasing; “false sense of security”. Although it was not the concluding word on my tree, I realized that it was important to describe the play and its world as such. Having a “false sense of security” could be a feeling that the characters have but it could also be an underlying contribution to the play itself. Think of it as that feeling when the characters on stage assume they are overly secure but we, as audience members, start to realize that they are actually not. This describes the world in which the character, Oedipus, lives in. One filled with fate, denial, spirituality, dependence, fear, smugness, and blindness. All of these words which create a false atmosphere.

Oedipus is a man of unflagging determination and perseverance, but one who must learn through the working out of a terrible prophecy that there are forces beyond any man’s conceptualization or control. Oedipus’ actions were determined before his birth, yet Oedipus’ actions are entirely determined by the Gods who control him completely. In the beginning of this tragedy, Oedipus took many actions leading to his own downfall. He tried to escape Corinth when he learned of the prophecies that were supposed to take place in his life. Instead, he

Throughout the play we find that Oedipus, the protagonist of this Greek tragedy, is tested by life in a number of ways. To those in Athens who watched the performance of Oedipus the King, Oedipus appeared to be the embodiment of a perfect Athenian. He is self-confident, intelligent, and strong-willed. Ironically, these are the very traits which bring about his tragic discovery. He is portrayed as a character of

One of the most interesting and influential thinkers of all time was Socrates, whose dedication to careful reasoning helped form the basis for

Most tragic heroes are revered and loved by many until they face a plight that ultimately leads to their demise. This plight not only affects the fate of the hero ,but how they are seen by others. The tragedy, “Oedipus the King” (KO), written by Sophocles, is no exception. King Oedipus is popular to all the citizens of Thebes for his work in solving the Sphinx’s riddle and ridding of a disastrous plague, however, a truth unbeknownst to him is slowly revealed throughout the play and causes him great humiliation. The truth unravels itself slowly, and then all at once causing a great discrepancy in how Oedipus is viewed in the eyes of his people. Oedipus experiences the great polarities

Many questions were raised against Oedipus in class argument about his character flaws, running from the fate, killing his father, marrying his mother, and insulting prophet etc. Here I would try to answer as much I can.

The famed tragedian Sophocles is known for his unique ideas and intellect. Sophocles carefully utilizes of all of his intelligence and creative ability in order to make use of illuminating moments throughout the play which allow his audience to draw conclusions about free will, fate, knowledge, and power throughout perhaps his most iconic play, Oedipus Rex. the main character Oedipus experiences an illuminating moment when he gouges his eyes out at the discovery of the truth about his actions. This illumination is expressed in order to express Sophocles’ idea that fate overpowers free will.

The most famous scene in Sophocles’, Oedipus Rex, is when Oedipus gouges out his eyes. But, that’s not the only example of sight and blindness in this play. In Sophocles ' plays there was always extensive content where he paid considerable attention to the element of “spectacle” in his plays. When observing the theme of vision, it invites the audience to look at the action with a double perspective, through their own eyes and through the eyes of those on stage. Within this play, sight and blindness are the underlying themes. Sight is commonly associated with light or positive overtones, and blindness is attached to darkness or negative undertones. The approach to describing blindness deals with not only physical blindness but also metaphorical blindness. Oedipus ' blindness changes from bad to worse at different scenes of the play. Although the word "blindness" seems quite simple, it can be very debatable. Blindness or the inability to “see” consist of two elements; Oedipus 's ability to see vs his desire to see. Throughout many scenes, the two elements are used in pattern form. Some scholars mention the two aspects of the play in addition to discussing the theme of knowledge. Lazlo Versenyi, Thomas Hoey, Marjorie Champlain, analyze the play from different perspectives. Versenyi says the play was “a tragedy of self- knowledge”, with the use of terms

Sophocles Oedipus the King is a tragic play which discusses the tragic discovery of Oedipus that he has killed his father and married his mother. The story of Oedipus was well-known to the Athenian's. Oedipus is the embodiment of the perfect Athenian. He is self-confident, intelligent, and strong willed. Ironically these are the very traits which bring about his tragic discovery. Oedipus gained the rule of Thebes by answering the riddle of Sphinx. Sophocles used the riddle of the sphinx as a metaphor for the 3 phases of Oedipus' life and to further characterized him as a tragic man. The Sphinx posed the following riddle to all who came to obtain the rule of Thebes: “What is it that walks on 4 feet and 2 feet and 3 feet and has only one voice, when it walks on most feet it is the weakest?” Oedipus correctly answered “Man” and became the king of Thebes. This riddle is a metaphor for the life of Oedipus. As a child man crawls on his hands and knees this is the four feet to which the Sphinx refers. Also, man is at his weakest as a small child. He depends solely on others for his nourishment and well-being. Oedipus was the child of Jocasta and King Laius who was taken to the mountain by a Shepard to be killed so the omen of the god Apollo that Laius' son would kill him and lay with Jocasta would not come true. Oedipus was the weakest of his life at this point.