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Greek Philosophy
I. Classical Age in Greece, 490-323 BCEII. Classical Greek ValuesIII. Greek Philosophy
IDs: polis, Pericles, hoplite phalanx, rationalism
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Argument
The emphasis on humanism & rationalism in Classical Greek philosophy reflects the value classical Greeks gave to individual glory and competition. Even though it was balanced by identity as citizens in a polis, that value on glory and competition destroyed classical Greek society.
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Axial (Spiritual Age) 6th-4th century BCE
Influential Thinkers• Buddha• Mahavira• Confucius• Laozi ?• Socrates• Aristotle• Plato & other Greeks
New Religions/Philosophical Systems
• Buddhism• Confucianism• Daoism• Greek Philosophy
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I. Classical Greece, 490-323 BCE
A. Origins1. On periphery of
Mesopotamian/ Egyptian civilizations
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2. Cultural Development
Ca. 1200 BCE: Trojan War
800 BCE: Homer writes Iliad & Odyssey
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3. Government: Polis (city-state)
AthensSpartaCorinthEphesus
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4. Dependence on Sea, Trade & Colonies
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Mediterranean Network, 1000-300 BCEPurple: GreeksBlue-Green: Phoenicians
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B. War with Persia, 490-480 BCE
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Hoplite Phalanxes
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C. Athens in the Classical Age
DemocracyTradePhilosophyArchitecture
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Democracy
Limitations:MaleFreeCitizen
Public Life
Periclesdemogogue
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D. Sparta in the Classical Age
military identityhelots
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D. Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE): Athens vs. Sparta
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II. Classical Greek Values: A. Competition & Individual glory
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B. Identity: Citizenship in the polis
Citizen-soldiers
hoplites
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C. Dissatisfaction with Religion
Olympian godsZeusanthropomorphic
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D. Male Superiority & Separate Socializing
Patriarchy
Seclusion of elite women
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III. Classical Greek Philosophy
A. RationalismReasonDivision of mind &
emotions
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B. Humanism
Human wisdom, beauty, skill
SciencePoetryMusicSportsDrama
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C. Education
competitionreadingwritingathleticsself-control
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D. Debate & Public Life
Agora (marketplace)AnalysisPolitics (from Polis =
city-state)
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E. Study of Nature & Human world
SciencesMathMedicinePoetrySculptureTheater: tragedy &
comedy
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Argument
The emphasis on humanism & rationalism in Classical Greek philosophy reflects the value classical Greeks gave to individual glory and competition. Even though it was balanced by identity as citizens in a polis, that value on glory and competition destroyed classical Greek society.