PhilosophySocratic paradox:

“I know that I know nothing at all.”

Then should we dare a definition?• Philosophy is the study of wisdom. • It comes from the Greek words philia (love) and

sophia (wisdom). • Wisdom gives meaning to daily events and

interprets periods of time. • It considers everything people know, think, feel,

desire or hope. • Philosophers are those who ponder eternal

questions. • Their answers are philosophy.

A philosopher usually holds these attitudes:

• Belief in one’s mental powers• A habit of questioning ideas,

theories, and practices• An inquisitive mind that is

always asking “Why”?• A global view of the universe

A philosopher uses these tools:

• Logic and reason• Intuition• Observation• Discussion• Synthesis of many bits of information

Philosophers have pondered these Eternal Questions:

• Why am I here?• What is evil?• Why is evil in the world?• What is the relationship between individual

freedom and the rights of others? Are we free?• Should we be free?• What is my obligation towards myself?• What is my obligation towards the rest of the

world?• Are people inherently good or evil?• Of what value is a living plant, animal, or human being?• Is there a master plan for the universe?• Are we the masters of our own destiny?

Do you think you have the makings of a philosopher?

• From time to time for the rest of the year we will engage in various philosophical studies , discussions, activities , and projects. (they tend to vary from year to year).

• You readers/thinkers/talkers should read Socrates Café, by Christopher Phillips, and try to get one going on campus. See Socrates Café handout on harrellland 8th Philosophy section, and listen to this:

• http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1688260

Just for fun, here are some funny, fictional book titles based on philosophers’ names:

• Watch Your Waistline by Peter Abelard• Descartes, Before the Horse• Sure You Can by I. Kant• The Grass Is Wet by John Dewey• Asleep at the Wheel by Rudolf Carnap• Henry More, Or Less• Inspection of Sanitary Facilities by George Henry Lewes

Perhaps we can come up with more.

Where do we begin?

Before meeting the first four, you’ll need to hear this theme song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07NskEqxG_Y original Monkees’ theme song to introduce their 70s TV show. It’s what the next clip about philosophers parodies.

And now meet Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Diogenes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCsph5Pykvk funny song parody of The Monkees to introduce you to 4 major philosophers

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1mEVA1QQFg 10 Socrates quotes in less than a minute• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfkln9UHZUY 10 Plato quotes in less than a minute• ________________________________________10 Aristotle quotes in less than a minute

• Looks like we’ll have to make one for our final SPA philosopher. Go to the Famous Quotations from Philosophers link on the website ( 8th Philosophy) and chose the 10 quotes from Aristotle that you think are the best to preserve. Copy them and bring them to the next class meeting and we’ll discuss them down to the final 10 and make our quotes in less than a minute YouTube video.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbgHbzrL3d0 Just to acquaint you with him before we pare him down to 10 quotes in a minute, here’s Aristotle in 3 minutes. This should help you choose significant quotes.

Continuing the groundwork

On our website (Philosophy) you’ll find links to PowerPoint presentations on Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle…

Continuing the groundwork

• We’ll divide into 3 groups• and for homework you’ll watch the video for your group• and at our next class be ready to tell us everything we need

to know about the philosopher. • If you want to cruise around the web for additional

information, that’s fine and somewhat philosophical of you, a lover of wisdom.

Moving right along…

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgM0BI_eROQ 5 minute documentary of Stoicism. We will watch, take notes, respond and relate.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2r1KaB15ck 3 minute YouTube of Epicurus and Zeno. We will breathlessly watch and learn.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L3dLWwmDDw More background (23 minutes) on Epicurus and happiness. Watch, take a few more notes and jot down ideas and questions that come to you.

Defining and discussing happiness will be our first Socrates Café session

Now that we have laid the groundwork with the great SPA philosophers, let’s meet two more of the ancient and significant ones and then do some philosophizing.

This and that and interesting finds…https://www.google.com/search?q=griffin+and+sabine&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en-

US&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5xyPUaOWGqPy0wH9_IAQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=758 II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgkBE4Kgq5Q The Matrix and Philosophy (1 hour) Watch at home if you dare. Students have told me the movie relates and according to this montage and discussion, it does; but my goodness!

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/sophie/

For you fantasy and philosophy lovers. A copy of this book is in our room too.

I have this trilogy in our classroom, It’s gorgeous and thought provoking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjalBmkmkvE Mary Wollstonecraft 3 minute video

Heraclitus and Parmenides, the really ancients. Another 3 minute video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNjmPyHIoOc