Overview
This lecture covers major figures in ancient Greek philosophy, summarizing their core ideas and comparing their approaches to knowledge, reality, and virtue.
Socrates
- Socrates is known through Plato’s dialogues, as he wrote no texts himself.
- Developed the Socratic method: learning through questions and answers to expose ignorance.
- Used “Socratic irony” by pretending ignorance to reveal flaws in others’ arguments.
- Argued that virtue is knowledge; people do wrong due to ignorance.
- Famous quote: “I know that I know nothing.”
- Believed no one willingly does evil (“No One S willingly”).
Plato
- Introduced the theory of Forms: only the ideal, non-physical “Forms” are truly real.
- Physical objects are imperfect copies of their ideal Forms.
- Explained theory with the allegory of the cave: shadows represent perceived reality, true Forms are known only through reason.
Aristotle
- Challenged Plato by placing Forms within individual things, not separate.
- Proposed imminent realism: Forms exist inside each object, not in a separate realm.
- Believed all Forms are instantiated in real objects; none exist unattached.
- Asserted the world is made of five elements: earth, water, fire, air, ether.
Epicurus
- Thought philosophy’s goal is to achieve happiness through tranquility, removing pain and fear.
- Claimed fear of death is philosophy’s main target; reasoned there’s no need to fear death.
- Believed the universe is made of atoms (matter) and void (empty space).
- Atoms are indestructible, with infinite supply but finite types.
- Senses work via atoms emitted by objects; sensations depend on how atoms interact with observers.
- Considered an empiricist due to reliance on sensory perception.
Pythagoras
- Believed reality can be explained through numbers and their relationships.
- His followers (Pythagoreans) sought abstract explanations and proposed the immortality and reincarnation of the soul.
- Best known for the Pythagorean theorem in mathematics.
Diogenes
- Founded Cynicism, which rejects wealth, power, and fame in favor of virtue and living simply.
- Practiced shamelessness and breaking social norms to live according to nature.
- Considered one of the first proponents of cosmopolitanism (“citizen of the world”).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Socratic Method — a dialogue-based technique for exposing ignorance and exploring concepts.
- Socratic Irony — pretending ignorance to draw out flaws in others’ arguments.
- Forms (Plato) — perfect, unchanging ideals underlying all phenomena.
- Imminent Realism (Aristotle) — belief that forms exist within actual objects.
- Atomism (Epicurus) — the belief that everything consists of tiny, indestructible atoms and void.
- Empiricism — knowledge based on sensory experience.
- Cynicism — philosophy advocating simple living and virtue over societal norms.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review key philosophies of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Pythagoras, and Diogenes.
- Understand definitions and be able to explain allegory of the cave and key differences between Plato and Aristotle.
- Prepare to discuss examples of each philosopher’s core ideas in class.