Greek PhilosophyGreek Philosophy

““Love of Wisdom”Love of Wisdom”

SophistsSophists

Traveling Teachers in GreeceTraveling Teachers in Greece Beyond human understanding to Beyond human understanding to

know the essense of the Universeknow the essense of the Universe Stressed rhetoricStressed rhetoric True Wisdom = perceive and pursue True Wisdom = perceive and pursue

you own goodyou own good Viewed by many…especially the Viewed by many…especially the

older citizens…as dangerous!older citizens…as dangerous!

SocratesSocrates

Who are the sophists?Who are the sophists? Socratic MethodSocratic Method TeachingsTeachings Corrupting the Youth?Corrupting the Youth? DeathDeath Legacy…Legacy…

PlatoPlato

Student of SocratesStudent of Socrates The ApologyThe Apology and and The The

RepublicRepublic The AcademyThe Academy Teachings – Allegory of the Teachings – Allegory of the

CaveCave

AristotleAristotle

Student of Plato, teacher of Student of Plato, teacher of AlexanderAlexander

People and realityPeople and reality Classification of objectsClassification of objects Happiness Happiness through through

moderationmoderation

EpicureanismEpicureanism

Founded by EpicurusFounded by Epicurus During Hellenistic Greece During Hellenistic Greece

(post-Alexander)(post-Alexander) Humans are free to follow Humans are free to follow

self-interestself-interest Happiness is the goal of lifeHappiness is the goal of life Happiness is achieved Happiness is achieved

through the pursuit of through the pursuit of pleasurepleasure

StoicismStoicism

Popular Hellenistic PhilosophyPopular Hellenistic Philosophy People achieve happiness by living People achieve happiness by living

in harmony with the will of god and in harmony with the will of god and could bear whatever life offeredcould bear whatever life offered

Public service is noble – be a good Public service is noble – be a good citizen!citizen!

VERY POPULAR IN ROME!VERY POPULAR IN ROME!