Directions:

1) Define ‘Philosophy’ with your group and write it down on the white board

- You can use your phones or a dictionary

2) What do you think can we learn from Philosophy? (Answer in your notebook)

BELL WORK

OBJECTIVES• I will be able to identify and describe the

Ancient Greek philosophers Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

• I will be able to ‘philosophize’ about Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle’s ideas

SOCRATES• 469 – 399 BCE in Athens, Greece

• Written dialogues by his disciples

• Question EVERYTHING!

• Socratic seminar anyone?

• Praised by Plato

• Criticized by Aristophanes

• “The Clouds”

• Trial of Socrates

• Sophist and corrupting the youth

• “The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing”

PLATO (ARISTOCLES) • 427 – 347 BCE in Athens, Greece• Plato = nickname for ‘broad’• Student of Socrates• The Academy = 1st university in Europe• Wrote many books including Socrates • The Republic

• Government = aristocracy based on education • Rulers (Philosophers), Warriors, and Commoners

ARISTOTLE • 384 BCE in Stagira, Greece to 322 BCE in Chalcis,

Greece

• Well educated – father was a doctor

• 18 – sent to Plato’s Academy

• Student and teacher (20 years)

• Founded the Assus Academy in Atarneus (Asia Minor) with Xenocrates

• Hermeias = ruler of Atameus

• On the Soul

• Soul and body interdependent

• Tutored Alexander the Great

• Founded the Lyceum Academy

SOCRATES PHILOSOPHY• He suggests that what is to be considered a good act is not good

because gods say it is, but is good because it is useful to us in our efforts to be better and happier people. This means that ethics is no longer a matter of surveying the gods or scripture for what is good or bad, but rather thinking about life. He even placed individual conscience above the law -- quite a dangerous position to take!

Philosophize

• Why do people commit “good acts?”

0ne person at each table is designated as the ‘why’ questioner – ask why after EVERY statement

PLATO PHILOSOPHY• Plato believed that the best form of government would be an

aristocracy based on education. He also outlined a theory of history, just like Marx, but instead after a democracy, a tyranny would rule the people.

Philosophize• Which theory of history is more correct, Plato or Marx?• Which form of government will prevail in society (aristocracy,

communism, democracy, tyranny, timocracy…)

0ne person at each table is designated as the ‘why’ questioner – ask why after EVERY statement

ARISTOTLE PHILOSOPHY

Philosophize

• Is reasons always correct?

• Is desire always wrong?

• Can the two coincide harmoniously?

0ne person at each table is designated as the ‘why’ questioner – ask why after EVERY statement

“There are two powers in the soul which appear to be moving forces -- desire and reason. But desire prompts actions in violation of reason... desire... may be wrong.”

HOMEWORK• Choose one philosopher and,

based on their ideas, write a page about what they would philosophize about today.