Plato (4Байду номын сангаас7-347)
• The son of wealthy and influential Athenian parents, Plato began his philosophical career as a student of Socrates. When the master died, Plato travelled to Egypt and Italy, studied with students of Pythagoras, and spent several years advising the ruling family of Syracuse. Eventually, he returned to Athens and established his own school of philosophy at the Academy. • Author of The Dialogues
Philosophy As Historical
• philosophical thought evolves • the thought of two different eras are so intimately connected that a genuine understanding of any one of them requires an understanding of the other. • What is important for our purposes is simply to be conscious and sensitive to the importance of history and the historical context in our understanding of philosophical texts.
Pre-Socratics
• • • • • • • • • • • Thales (624-546 B.C) Anaximander (5th cn. B.C.) Anaximenes (585-525 B.C.) Phythagoras (fl. 530 B.C.) Heraclitus (6th cn B.C.) Parmenides (b. 510 B.C.) Zeno (b. 488 B.C.) Empedocles (490-430) Anaxagoras (500-428 B.C.) Leucippus (490-430 B.C.) Democritus (460-370 B.C.)
The History of Philosophy
An Overview
What Is A Historical Overview And What Is Its Benefit?
• The main objective of this overview is to have the tools to properly situate a particular philosopher in their corresponding historical framework.
Aristotle (384-322)
• Aristotle was born in Stagira in north Greece, the son of Nichomachus, the court physician to the Macedonian royal family. He was trained first in medicine, and then in 367 he was sent to Athens to study philosophy with Plato. He stayed at Plato's Academy until about 347
The History of Philosophy
• • • • Ancient Medieval Modern Contemporary
Ancient Philosophy 600 B.C. - Birth of Christ
• • • • • Pre-Socratics The Sophists 3 main philosophers Hellenic Philosophy Stoicism
3 Main Ancient Philosophers
• Socrates (470-399 B.C.E) • Plato (428-348 B.C.E) • Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E)
Socrates (469-399)
• In his use of critical reasoning, by his unwavering commitment to truth, and through the vivid example of his own life, fifth-century Athenian Socrates set the standard for all subsequent Western philosophy.
The Sophists
• • • • • Protagoras (c. 490-c. 420 B.C.) Gorgias (483-378 B.C.) Thrasymachus (c. 459– c. 400 B.C.) Hippias (5th cn. B.C.) Prodicus (fl. 5th cn. B.C.)
Philosophy and Society
• philosophy does not take place in a vacuum, and therefore, the social, scientific, literary, economic and cultural context have a bearing upon the evolution of thought.