Def: Philosophy – pursuit of wisdom; the search for an understanding of values and reality through observation and analysis; basic beliefs

SOCRATES PLATO 469-399 B.C. Focus: arete =

goodness What is goodness?

What causes good? What causes bad?

Thinking became known as ethics

Never wrote, only discussed ideas

Upset politicians = executed Thought he didn’t

believe in the Gods Socratic Method:

technique of question & definition

429-347 B.C. Student of Socrates Wrote Apology defending

Socrates Started Academy (school) Government run by

“philosophy” – pursuit of goodness

Theory of Ideals Ideal version of everything Try to become ideal

version through philosophy

ARISTOTLE QUESTION 384-322 B.C. Plato’s student @

Academy Did not believe in ideals People can reach

goodness by power of mind (nous)

Tutored Alexander the Great

Lyceum – school of science & literature Influenced how we study

the world Use of logic to

understand the world

Why were Philosophers considered dangerous by politicians and other government leaders?

Philosophers question everything in order to understand the world. Try to be a philosopher by giving a definition to 3 of the following questions:

What is goodness? What is knowledge? What is love? What is truth? What is courage? What is virtue?

Steps1. Give yourself one name to go by. 2. Write an introduction for yourself and why philosophy is

important – critical to society. 3. Write a paragraph explaining three of the questions. 4. Then pick one defining sentence (quote) for each question

(Ex: Love is _____)