how history course can show greek philosophers relevance

by Kamille Greenholt 9 min read

a course in which students are introduced to the theories and arguments of the Greek philosophers that have historical importance. This way of teaching the course is relevant to students interested in the history of philosophy as history, including students of ancient and medieval history.

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Why do we study Ancient Greek philosophy?

the life itself, the living organisms, macroworld, microworld, soul, mind, brain, health, music, arts, science, space, virtues, religion, drama, relations, war, wealth, death, human weaknesses etc has been recognized and analyzed completely through Greek philosophy studies. There are many reasons one can give, but I’ll just list a few.

What is the origin of Philosophy in Greece?

The transition from mythological to rational thinking and the birth of philosophy in ancient Greece. The first philosophers, living in a world at the threshold of reason, gave the first rational answers for the creation of the Kosmos (world) and the emergence of man.

How are ancient Greek philosophers used in modern society?

Modern philosophers and educators still employ the patterns of thinking and exploration established by ancient Greek philosophers, such as the application of logic to questions of thought and engaging in debate to better convey philosophical ideas. Socrates and Plato are two famous Greek philosophers whose ideas still impact society today.

How does Greek philosophy bring the past to the present?

Apart from presenting the philosophy of ancient Greeks, it brings the past to the present, by adjusting the teachings of the philosophers to the problems one may face today, in order to offer a new perspective and therefore a different way of coping with them. Greek philosophy emerged from observing life in order to help people live better.

Why are Greek philosophers important to the study of history?

Greek philosophers were "seekers and lovers of wisdom". They studied and analyzed the world around them using logic and reason. Although we often think of philosophy as religion or "the meaning of life", the Greek philosophers were also scientists. Many studied mathematics and physics as well.

How is Greek philosophy relevant today?

Several fundamental concepts that were developed by Greek philosophers are taught in today's educational institutions. Examples include materialism, rationalism, metaphysics, idealism, empiricism, and ethics (Rooney 46). These ideologies continue to influence modern thought in the social and political fields.

What can we learn today from the Greek philosophers?

These ancient works are packed with valuable knowledge that can change our lives for the better.Focus on what you can control (Epictetus) ... Let reason guide you (Plato) ... Choose your pleasures wisely (Epicurus) ... Make friends with the virtuous (Aristotle) ... Ask questions (Socrates)

What was the major contribution of Greek philosophers?

One of the key points of Ancient Greek philosophy was the role of reason and inquiry. It emphasized logic and championed the idea of impartial, rational observation of the natural world. The Greeks made major contributions to math and science.

Does ancient philosophy have any relevance?

Ancient philosophers continue to influence humanity Twenty four centuries ago they laid the foundations of Western culture, and their ideas and insights still dictate essential features of our world right now, from what we eat to what we see on the internet.”

Why Aristotle's philosophy is still relevant in our modern time?

In spite of the growing acceptance of new ideas in the later centuries, Aristotelian thought is still relevant in our current society. Aristotle has created a basis for a great deal of today's scientific knowledge, such as the classification of organisms and objects.

What can we learn from the great philosophers?

These 9 Important Lessons from Philosophy will Help You Get Through 2020Camus: “Joy is an act of defiance.” ... Stoicism: “Life is tough, you can be tougher.” ... Sartre: “You always have a choice.” ... Confucius: “Harmony starts with you.” ... Kierkegaard: “Doubt does not diminish you.”More items...

Why is it important to study ancient philosophy?

In this way studying Ancient Philosophy is vital for the training for all philosophers alike. Students of Ancient Philosophy are also in a unique position for making valuable contributions to the wider field. Many of the problems raised by the Ancients continue to be our problems.

How has ancient Greece influenced our culture today?

They influenced almost every part of today's world, such as government, language, and architecture, as well as making scientific advancements. Also, the successes of these two civilizations lead to many countries modeling most of their public facilities and systems after the ones found in Greece and Rome.

Why are philosophers important?

Philosophy influences the world today. While you may not be aware of it, philosophy has a huge impact on how the world works. We have democracy because of philosophers. Many of the issues people wrestle with daily – such as how to be a good person – are philosophical.

What is the historical development of philosophy?

The golden age of Greek philosophy took place in Athens in the 5th century BC. The works of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle informed thousands of years of thought, becoming central to thought in the Roman world, the Middle Ages, and then resurfacing in the renaissance and later.

What is Greece known for in history?

Greece is known for being the cradle of Western Civilization, the birthplace of democracy, the Olympic Games, and its ancient history and magnificent temples. Ancient temples in Greece include the Parthenon at the Acropolis in Athens, the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion.

Greek Philosophy: Its Concept

Greek philosophy is the collective term for ancient, or Presocratic, and Socratic ideas. It consists of major thoughts and ideas that were spread widely enough to be reported by many contemporaries, especially in the case of Presocratic philosophers.

Great Greek Philosophers

Although Socrates and Plato are the most influential philosophers to modern society, Presocratic philosophies are also significant.

When did Greek philosophy begin?

Ancient Greek Philosophy. Beginning in the 6th century BCE, there was a flourishing of Presocratic philosophical thought in Greece that would continue through the Classical period and the Hellenistic period. Many scholars argue that the ancient Greeks created the notion of philosophy itself. While ancient Greek philosophy took diverse forms, as ...

Which philosophers used scientific reasoning and logic to know truth?

The Classical philosophers, including Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, were even more confident in humanity's ability to discern truth, and they developed the most comprehensive theories of knowledge at the time. The Classical philosophers used scientific reasoning and logic as a way to know truth and live a virtuous life.

What did the presocratic philosophers look for in the universe?

Presocratic philosophies were diverse, but they all looked to reason, observation, science, and/or mathematics, instead of mythology, for knowledge of the universe. The Presocratics also searched for a unifying principle that both ordered nature and also explained how change occurred.

What did the Sophists believe?

In general, Sophists argued that there is a fundamental distinction between human custom and nature/reality, that truth is relative and is based in one's perception of the world, and that rhetoric had the power to shape reality.

Why did Socrates argue that reason is a threat to Greek tradition?

The use of reason in this way would make the soul virtuous. Because Socrates looked to reason and not mythology, he was actually considered a threat to Greek tradition and was put to death for his ideas!

What did Zeno teach his followers?

The Hellenistic philosopher, Zeno of Cyprus, taught his followers, called the Stoics , that happiness was a matter of cultivating the right attitude when dealing with pain. To the Stoics , extreme emotions should be avoided altogether, and virtue could be attained by living in harmony with nature. Influence.

What is Aristotle known for?

Aristotle wrote on numerous subjects like political philosophy and poetry, but he is most well known for developing a cohesive system of science and logic used to understand the world. This system, in fact, is an early form of the scientific method, the same basic scientific method we still use today.

What is the philosophy of ancient Greece?

Ancient Greek philosophy opened the doors to a particular way of thinking that provided the roots for the Western intellectual tradition and civilisation, so it comes as no surprise that these philosophers of ancient Greece are known as some of the greatest thinkers to have ever stepped foot on this earth. Ancient Greek philosophers were the first ...

Who were the first philosophers to question the modern philosophy?

Ancient Greek philosophers were the first that doubted the contemporary philosophical paradigm, observed and interpreted the world they lived in and set the basis of Western civilisations. These early philosophers broke tradition and sought rational explanations, their speculation also formed the early basis for science and natural philosophy.

Why was Socrates so famous?

Socrates became famous for encouraging people to critically question everything. Socrates’ greatest contribution to philosophy was the Socratic Method in which discussion, argument, and dialogue are used to discern the truth.

What was Plato's first work?

Plato wrote one of the first and most influential works on politics, The Republic, which described an ideal or Utopian society. Like his mentor Socrates, Plato was a critic of democracy. *Socrates. Socrates “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.”.

What is Plato's philosophy?

The primary groundwork of Plato’s philosophy is a threefold approach – dialects, ethics and physics, the central point of unison being the theory of forms. For him, the highest of forms was that of the ‘good’, which he took as the cause of being and knowledge.

Who is the most famous mathematician?

Pythagoras is a famous mathematician who is credited with inventing the Pythagorean Theorem, one of the key computations in geometry. Although better known for his legendary contribution to mathematics, his philosophical works and ideas have had a great influence on modern philosophy and on Plato as well.

Who was the first person to explain the nature of matter?

He was the first to try to explain natural phenomena without the inclusion of myths, by theories and hypothesis, ergo science. Aristotle points Thales as the first person to have investigated basic principles such as origination of matter. Thales is also said to be the founder of school of natural philosophy. *Plato.

What did the Greek philosophers believe about nature?

As their thought is shaken from the mythological realm, they become curious about what made things around them. It wasn’t gods handmade so surely there is something that created it. The early Greek philosophers observed that the nature was in constant flux of transformation. But how could it occur? How something change? How those frogs come from the water and how those plants come from the dead earth? They believed that there should be a root substance that causes all the change, something where it comes and returns to. The underlying law of nature. They gradually separated themselves from the religion and took direction to scientific reasoning.

What is Anaxagoras' philosophy?

He also refused to accept that the four elements can create living being. Instead, he believed that everything is created by particle that invisible for the eyes. If body is created by bone and blood, there’re smaller substances and from those smaller substance there’re these particle which is something from everything. Anaxagoras called as miniscule particles. To dive deeper into his philosophy, let’s picture it this way. Every cell of living being bears the blueprint they should construct with other cells. If it’s for human, then every cell has the blueprint to construct human. Thus, the particles are various and indifferent depend on the force.

Which Greek philosophers were opposite to each other?

The latest two Greek philosophers were opposite to each other. While Parmenides held strongly on reason, Heraclitus held as strong on sense. So, what’s right between two? According to the next Greek philosopher we have, each has a proportion of truth.

Who is the next philosopher?

The next philosopher we have is Democritus. He is the last philosopher whose project focusing in the basic substance in nature and one of the well-known philosophers that brings a great impact to modern world. You must be familiar with his theory of atom. It’s fundamental for our science nowadays.

What did Anaximander believe?

He believed that our world is one of the myriad, began and dissolved into a sole substance called boundless. This substance is the beginning of all things which create the earth.

Why is Greek philosophy important?

Of course one could reasonably argue that the times of Heraclitus, of Socrates, of Protagoras were totally different to ours, this is true but it is also the reason why Ancient Greek Philosophy remains important because it teaches us even today valuable lessons regarding our everyday lives.

What is the Greek philosophy programme?

The programme “Greek Philosophy: the art of living” exceeds the scope of an ordinary course on ancient Greek philosophy.

Why are Aristotle and Plato analyzed?

For example, the philosophies of Aristotle and Plato are analyzed in Business Ethics, in order to teach managers how to run their organizations better. Even Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, used Aristotle’s tools of persuasion (ethos, pathos, logos) from conferences to TV interviews. This online course which is part of ...

What is Greek philosophy?

Greek Philosophy. “Greek Philosophy: the art of living” is not just another course on ancient Greek philosophy. Apart from presenting the philosophy of ancient Greeks, it brings the past to the present, by adjusting the teachings of the philosophers to the problems one may face today, in order to offer a new perspective ...

Which philosophers were the last to change the course of philosophy?

Lesson 8. Socrates – Sophists. Socrates is the figure that changed the course of philosophical thought.

Where did philosophy originate?

The transition from mythological to rational thinking and the birth of philosophy in ancient Greece. The first philosophers, living in a world at the threshold of reason, gave the first rational answers for the creation of the Kosmos (world) and the emergence of man.

Who was Plato's pupil?

Pupil of Socrates, and one of the most prominent philosophers of all times; his influence is intense even today. The most distinguished of Plato's pupils, who taught us how to think logically and do research scientifically. The course evaluation is based on written essays at the conclusion of each unit.

Why do we learn Greek philosophy?

In the final analysis, we learn Greek philosophy because — as those who try the experiment sincerely soon discover — it is true, good and beautiful. It’s an antidote to the toxic and dead-end radical materialism of today. William Smith. , Polymath; advanced study in many fields and the degrees to prove it.

What is the importance of Greek philosophy?

The importance of the Greek philosophy is at the highest degree ,one might think. Philosophy - Wikipedia. The Greek Classic philosophy still in our days rules in fundamentals , such as : Reasoning. Logic // deductive and inductive , fallacies. Ethics - morality.

What is the philosophy of realism?

This standpoint in philosophy is called realism. It admit hard realism and soft realism depending on if the universals exist really or are only in the soul or the mind of the thinker. Plato and Aristotle respectively are the two proponents.

What is the hallmark of modern philosophy?

A hallmark of modern philosophy is the distinction between values (that must be personal) and facts (that must be objective). And the distinction is/ought. This only leaves physical force or mass indoctrination as the playground for ideological and political confrontation. Related Answer.

What is the center of inquiry in classical philosophy?

Continue Reading. In Classical philosophy the object is the center of the inquiry. In modern phylosophy since Kant the subject is the center of inquiry. The main Greek schools presupposed that the mind gave a trustworthy intuition of reality. That is called realism.

Is philosophy a false question?

It’s a false question because of the definition of philosophy, which is: “The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.”. philosophy | Definition of philosophy in English by Oxford Dictionaries.

Who is the father of experimental science?

In this sense Aristotle, father of experimental science, studied and experimented widely in his Animus an extensive study of animals and plants. He also started a study of political economy starting with the family unit and going on the village structure to broader society to talking exchange value.

What is the Greek philosophers course?

Are values relative or absolute? What is truth? The ancient Greek philosophers were among the first to ask fundamental questions about human existence, and this course provides an overview of key figures such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle and examines their role in shaping history and society. The course will also apply philosophical lenses to analyze some of life’s "big questions" with new depth and perspective.

How to study philosophy?

At the end of the course, you'll be able to: 1 Recognize the value of the study of philosophy and its application to everyday life 2 Identify the nature and significance of the major branches of philosophical inquiry 3 Understand the general philosophical positions and arguments of key ancient Greek philosophers 4 Understand the impact that ancient philosophical theories have had on history and society 5 Apply good philosophical logic, reasoning, and critical thinking skills 6 Compare and contrast various philosophical approaches to essential philosophical questions 7 Apply philosophical approaches to real-world situations

How many challenges are required for a pass/fail course?

This is a pass/fail course. You must complete four Challenge assessments (these are like quizzes) and one Milestone assessment (this is like a test) with an overall score of 70% or better.

Does Sophia have ACE credit?

Sophia’s ACE Credit®- and DEAC-recommended courses have been accepted for credit at hundreds of colleges and universities. The American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE Credit®) has evaluated and recommended college credit for 33 of Sophia's online courses for college credit.

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