chapter 6 section 2 philosophers and writers of the golden age
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 6Section 2
Philosophers and Writers of the Golden Age
Philosophy• The study of basic questions
of reality & human existence• Great Greek achievement• “Lover of Wisdom”• Natural laws & truths could be
discovered through reason
Socrates• Athenian - Education – key to
personal growth• Students should learn to think for
themselves.• Socratic Method – questions to
teach• Critic of democracy – unskilled
rule
Socrates• Falsely accused of denying
the existence of the gods and corrupting the youth
• At trial refused to deny his teachings – Found guilty and executed
• Drank hemlock
Plato• Socrates’ greatest student• Recorded Socrates’ ideas• Taught Socrates’ teachings• The Academy – school in Athens• Dialogues or Discussions• Dealt w/ Government, religion,
justice, and education
Plato -“Theory of Forms”• Material things an imperfect
expression of perfect ideas or forms
• Perfection could never be reached in physical world
• Humans consisted of two parts: body and soul
Plato - The Republic
• Written dialogue of Plato’s view of a perfect society and government
• Aristocracy – governed by upper class based on wisdom not wealth/birth - ideal
Aristotle• Student of Plato at the
Academy – opened school• All subjects should be studied
logically• Classified things (science)• Facts organized into systems
Aristotle• Ethics – What makes people
happy?• Poetics – What makes a
good or bad play• Studied politics – all forms
could be corrupt• Wanted limited democracy
ScienceNo practical scientific knowledge
developedFoundations of anatomy, botany,
and zoology laid by AristotleGreeks believed the world could
be explained through natural lawsReason v. Superstition
Math
Pythagoras: believed everything could be explained by math
Developed Pythagorean theoremA2+b2=c2
MedicineHippocrates: founder of
medical scienceDisease from natural sources
not a punishment from the gods
“Hippocratic Oath”: still take this pledge today.
•Code of Ethics
History►Greeks 1st to take written history seriously
►Herodotus – “father of history”Traveled around world
►Thucydides – understand Human nature through historyHistory of the Peloponnesian War
Made history accurate and fair.
DramaPlays containing action, dialogue, conflict, emotion
Plays in poetic form2-3 actors speak lines
Chorus describes actionAll men no womenPlays performed in outdoor theaters carved into hillside
TragediesMain character struggles against fate or events
Usually defeated in the end.
Punished for hubris (pride)Sophocles and Euripides: famous tragic writers
Comedies
Made fun of ideas and people
Tragic and humorous figures
Aristophanes: most famous writer of Greek comedy