Sophie's World

The Natural Philosophers

"Nothing comes from nothing"
600 B.C.
Philosophers from Miletus
1. Thales- source of all things is water
2. Anaximander- our world is many worlds that evolve and dissolve (multiple worlds)
3. Anaximenes- source of all things is water (vapor)

"The problem of change"
500 B.C.
Philosopher from Elea
4. Parmenides- everything that exists has always existed. no such thing as actual change.  nothing can     become anything than what it was.
    Our senses give us an incorrect picture of the world on that doesn't tally with reason (perceptual illusion ).
    Rationalism- human reason is the primary source of our knowledge of the world.


"All things flow"
540-580 B.C.
Philosopher from Ephesus, Asia Minor
5.  Heraclitus- constant change or flow is the basis of nature.  everything flows (constant flux).  the world is categorized by opposites (contrast of nature).


Edited by tatee - Dec 16 2011 at 4:54pm

Fate

Do you believe in fate?
Is sickness a punishment of the gods?
What forces govern the course of history?

Fatalism- the belief that whatever happens is predestines

The Oracle at Delphi

History and Medicine

460 B.C
Hippocrates- guard against sickness is moderation and healthy lifestyle.  health is the natural condition .  when sickness occurs it is because we have gone off course because of a physical and mental imbalance.

Hippocratic oath

Socrates
"Wisest is she who knows she does not know"

Philosophers of Athens: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle

Socrates had the greatest influence of European thought, although he never left written account.  all that is known of him is through Plato.

The Art of Discourse
Socrates listened and asked questions instead of lectured.  Real understanding comes from within. Only understanding that comes from within can lead to true insight. He forced people to use common sense by feigning ignorance (Socratic irony) this allowed him to expose the weaknesses in their thinking (often time to their embarrassment).
He was accused of introducing new gods and corrupting the youth and condemned to drink hemlock.

A Joker in Athens
Socrates differed from Sophists in one important way, he did not consider himself a Sophist (one who is wise and learned and took money for their teaching).  He called himself a philosopher (one who loves wisdom).  He knew that he knew nothing about life and the world and it troubled him that he knew so little.
A philosopher is therefore someone who recognizes that there is a lot he does not understand and is troubled by it.  "One thing only I know is that I know nothing"

The most subversive people are ones who ask questions.  Giving answers isn't nearly as threatening.  Any one question can be more explosive than a thousand answers.

Socrates thought is was necessary to build a solid foundation for our knowledge.  He believed that this foundation lay in man's reason (rationalism).
 
"He who knows what good is will do good"
Socrates believed he was guided by divine inner voice (conscience). the right insight leads to the right action.  when we do wrong it's because we don't know any better. 
He believed the ability to distinguish between right and wrong lays in a man's reason.  He believed that no one could be happy if they acted against their better judgement.  Why would anyone choose unhappiness unless they do not know any better?




Edited by tatee - Dec 17 2011 at 8:25am