Philosophy - Ancient Greek Philosophers PDF

**Philosophy** \- Mother of all Sciences \- comes from two Greek words: philos (love) and sophia (wisdom) \- used this term to refer to & love of wisdom. \- applied it to the study or discipline that uses human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which govern all t...

**Philosophy** \- Mother of all Sciences \- comes from two Greek words: philos (love) and sophia (wisdom) \- used this term to refer to & love of wisdom. \- applied it to the study or discipline that uses human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which govern all things \- philosophers or & lovers of wisdom. \- Importance: philosophy is an important field of study as it touches upon a diverse array of topics and disciplines, every aspect of human knowledge from the arts to science and technology has benefited from the inquiring nature of philosophy ** Introspection** -- the examination or observation of one own mental and emotional processes. ** Nirvana** - a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism. ** Hinduism** - India The following are the most notable ancient Greek Philosophers: **Pythagoras (570 BCE to 405 BCE)** \- mathematician and scientist \- credited with formulating the Pythagorean theorem \- established community of learners who were devoted to the study of religion and philosophy  **Heraclitus (535 BCE to 475 BCE)** \- He proposed that everything that exists is based on higher order or plan which he called logos \- change is a permanent aspect of the human condition \- **"No man ever steps in the same river twice"** \- Water in the river is constantly flowing, which means that even within a few minutes, water at a particular spot won't be the same as it was earlier **Democritus (460 BCE to 370 BCE)** \- He devoted himself to the study of the causes of natural phenomena. \- was among the first to propose that matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms **Diogenes of Sinope (412 BCE to 323 BCE)** \- He was a known advocate of living a simple and virtuous life. \- For him, one should not only talk of virtue but should show it in words and actions \- His emphasis on austerity and simplicity often went to the extreme, and he was said to have lived like a beggar. \- known to be a vocal critic of well-known philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. \- His teachings and views were later developed by his followers and influenced the development of several schools of philosophy such as Cynicism and Stoicism. **Epicurus (341 BCE to 270 BCE)** \- believed that philosophy could enable man to live a life of happiness \- His views gave rise to Epicureanism school of philosophy which believes that wisdom and simple living will result in a life free of fear and pain. **Socrates (470 BCE to 399 BCE)** \- He was considered the foremost philosopher of ancient times. \- He made great contributions to the field of ethics. \- known critic of intellectuals during his time \- he himself did not claim to be "wise" and merely considered himself a "midwife" that helped inquiring minds achieve wisdom. \- He also believed that philosophy could enable a man to live a life of virtue \- credited with formulating the Socratic Method a means of examining a topic by devising a series of questions that let the learner examine and analyze his knowledge and views regarding the topic **Plato (427 BCE to 347 BCE)** \- A student of Socrates, he wrote down his mentor teachings and incorporated some of his own ideas into them. \- His teachings and writings were considered the foundation of Western philosophy \- Most significant ideas included his Theory of Forms, which proposes that everything that exists is based on an idea or template that can only be perceived in the mind: these nonphysical ideas are eternal and unchanging. \- He also focused his studies on the ideal society and proposed an ideal model of government and society which is ruled by wisdom and reason. \- known for his dialectic-method of inquiry where two opposing ideas are discussed in an attempt to arrive at new knowledge. \- Plato's lasting contribution to teaming was his founding of the Academy, an institution of higher learning which was the first of its kind in the Western World. **Aristotle (384 BCE to 322 BCE)** \- a prominent student of Plato Aristotle, however disagreed with Plato's theory of forms and took a different stance in interpreting reality. \- For him, all ideas and views are based on perception and our reality is based on what we can sense and perceive. This view greatly influenced the study of the physical sciences \- involved in a great variety of disciplines such as [zoology, psychology, ethics, and politics.] \- also proposed a system for the classification of plants and animals. \- His studies in logic led to the formulation of a formal process of analyzing reasoning which gave rise to deductive reasoning, the process by which specific statements are analyzed to reach a conclusion of generalization. (Monkeys eat banana. Juan is eating a banana, therefore Juan is a monkey.) From their roots in ancient Greece, the thoughts and ideas of philosophers soon gained popularity in many places throughout the world. The developments that started in ancient Greece brought about the emergence of Western Philosophy) (Meanwhile, Eastern Philosophy emerged from the communities and civilizations in Asial While both philosophies pondered the significant questions regarding human existence, Western philosophy throughout the centuries became more systematic and specialized in its approach. Eastern philosophy, on the other hand, is more fluid and places greater emphasis on social relations, the family, and community. / At present, philosophy is an important field of study as it touches upon a diverse array of topics and disciplines. Every aspect of human knowledge from the arts to science and technology has benefitted from the inquiring nature of philosophy. Why is there a need to philosophize? Philosophers have often wondered and argued about the role of philosophy in man\'s life. One view is that each one of us is a philosopher, whether or not we have studied philosophy. We all have the potential to philosophize since we have the tendency to wonder and doubt. We possess the capacity to reflect on our experiences, and we have a never-ending need to learn and discover. The Greek philosopher Plato traced man\'s need to philosophize to his sense of wonder. Whenever we are confronted with an experience, we always wonder how it came about. Man\'s overbounding curiosity drives him to ask questions, some of which have no definite answers. Where did we come from? Why do we exist? For what purpose were we created? Consider a small child\'s curiosity about all the things around him, most of which he encounters for the first time. This perspective drives the need of a philosopher to question, examine, and learn more. You sent The 15th-century French philosopher Rene Descartes traced the need to philosophize to doubt. Descartes was famous for rejecting or questioning established ideas, and he even went as far as doubting his own ideas. His method of examining ideas and perspectives became the basis of critical thinking and analysis in the sciences. For example, a scientific hypothesis must first be tested and verified before it is accepted as truth. In life, we will be faced with several ideas and arguments which present themselves as \"truths.\" A critical and questioning perspective is necessary to determine if indeed these ideas or views are correct or true. The 20th-century Swiss-German philosopher Karl Jaspers saw the need to philosophize because of experience. Jaspers believed that man is often confronted by experiences which challenge his ideas and frameworks. Jaspers called these experiences limit situations, and these are often accompanied by feelings of helplessness, anxiety, or dread. For Jaspers, philosophy provides us a means to understand adverse or challenging conditions, and to rise above them and gain new knowledge and perspectives. Finally, the need to philosophize is driven by the love for wisdom. To love wisdom is to have an insatiable desire for truth. A philosopher does not seek knowledge to claim ownership of it; and one who engages in philosophy is not satisfied with figuring out the answer to a question. He seeks to continue to question, to probe, and to discuss in order to get to the bottom of things. The philosopher who exemplified this perspective was Socrates. He gained fame for his curiosity and his constant debates with many of the intellectual elite in Greece. Socrates is famous for having said \"I know that I do not know\...\" and it is in accepting this state of ignorance that one can begin to learn and understand. By expanding our knowledge through philosophy, we begin to realize that learning is unceasing - there is a lot more to learn and experience in life. Socrates is also recognized for his motto: \"The unexamined life is not worth living.\" And nowhere is it more appropriate to embark on philosophy than in an examination of our own life. How do we characterize the study of philosophy? Just as there are many ways of looking at a problem, philosophers have employed varied means of looking into the fundamental questions regarding the human condition. This has given rise to various viewpoints, thoughts, and approaches in philosophy. One way of looking at philosophy is to consider it as a way of analyzing frameworks. A framework is defined as a way of thinking about the world-and is composed of the views and beliefs of a person. Whenever a person encounters a problem or question in life, he or she often goes back to his or her own framework in order to make sense of the problem. Questions dealing with our own correctness and values are considered internal questions which can be addressed using our own personal frameworks. Also, there are external questions that seek to question the very frameworks upon which people base their own beliefs and views. For instance, a child who is going through the bitter experience of his or her parents\' separation will be in a state of confusion as his or her experience does not conform to his or her personal framework of what a family should be. In this case, the child begins to question the very framework or concept of family that he or she has built based on previous experiences. By questioning his or her ideas and concepts, the child has already touched on an important aspect of philosophy. The child seeks to clarify, examine, and evaluate the basis of frameworks which he or she uses to deal with the world and give meaning to his or her experiences. How does one engage in reflection? Reflection requires a person to be willing to examine one\'s thoughts, feelings, and actions and to learn more about one\'s life and experiences. One can reflect on almost any subject. For instance, the moment you wake up you can already reflect upon the things that you plan to do for the day. This will enable you to set your daily goals and set you on the path of thinking of ways to achieve them. Seemingly simple or mundane actions take a whole new meaning when one engages in reflection. When buying clothes, for example, think of the questions that you ask CS CamScanner Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person yourself as you consider buying the t-shirt or blouse you are holding. You may start with the simple questions: \"Will this fit me?\" \"Do I look good in this color?\" These are the usual questions any buyer would ask himself or herself. But since we are in a reflective and philosophizing mood, let us now try and think of \"deeper\" questions and reflect on the situation. You may find yourself asking the following questions: \"Do I even have to buy a new t-shirt today?\" \"Am I better off spending my money on other things?\" \"Do I see myself wearing this shirt often, or am I just going to wear it once?\" \"What sort of person wears this kind of shirt?\" Notice the difference when you engage in reflection. The simple task of buying a shirt becomes something much more. If you concentrate only on the simple questions, you will just buy that shirt immediately. But reflection allows you an opportunity to think more deeply about your action, your motivations for doing such an action, and even its possible consequences. Buying a shirt becomes a much more meaningful act with the aid of reflection. Constant reflection on your possible purchases may even help you make wiser choices and improve your spending habits in the future. Reflection is vital in ensuring that our actions and decisions are well thought out and are done with due regard for their implications and consequences on ourselves, others, and our surroundings. Reflection helps us understand ourselves and our actions better. When we reflect, we can judge whether our actions or decisions are reasonable or not. What are the practical uses of philosophy in our lives? Philosophy has an important place in our daily lives. Engaging in philosophical reflection leads to the development of beneficial skills that individuals can apply in everyday situations. Philosophy enables a person to engage in critical analysis and interpretation of concepts, definitions, arguments, and problems. It also trains us to be critical of our own ideas as well as of others - meaning, we don\'t simply accept or reject whatever is presented to us. One can apply this critical and analytical mindset in processing information gained from media and addressing certain issues encountered in life. Critical thinking skills can help us avoid being tricked by false claims or manipulative schemes. Philosophy also improves problem-solving and decision making. The ability to analyze a problem or dilemma, identify its significant aspects, and come up with alternative solutions is an important skill learned through philosophy. A philosopher is a good communicator who can clearly and adequately present his or her ideas. Discussion and debate require skills in presenting and communicating ideas. Philosophy can also help us be more open to new and different ideas. Communication skills are also enhanced by the study of philosophy because it trains us to be very clear and precise about our thoughts and sentiments in order to express exactly what we want to say. Wisdom is one intended product of philosophizing, and this refers to a person\'s ability to apply knowledge to daily life particularly in making sound choices and judgment. Finally, knowledge of Philosophy can contribute to self-development. One can be a better student, scientist, artist, professional, and citizen if he or she has the capacity for inquiry, critical thinking, and reflection. In addition, philosophy encourages a person to know oneself, his or her strengths and weaknesses, establish an identity, and determine his or her purpose in life. Self-knowledge also grows along with one\'s understanding of the world and this is essential to the realization of the self. These are tools to develop one\'s own ideas and views and engage fully in useful activities in the community, nation, and the world at large. Review Philosophy is the study that uses human reason to investigate the ultimate causes, reasons, and principles which govern all things. The need to philosophize is traced to a person\'s sense of wonder and doubt, the need to make sense of challenging experiences, and the love for wisdom. The study of philosophy can be considered as a way of analyzing ideas and frameworks. It is also considered as a way of examining a particular area of knowledge. Philosophy itself is a discipline with its own goals, concerns, and ways of doing things. Philosophy also makes use of information gathered from other fields of knowledge and not just its own conclusions. Finally, philosophy can be considered a reflective and meditative activity. Reflection is an important aspect of philosophy. One can engage in reflection by examining one\'s thoughts, feelings, and actions and learning from experience. Reflecting on situations, activities, actions, and decisions enables a person to gain insights that will help in effective decision-making. Holistic thinking is a perspective that considers larger patterns or the bigger picture when looking at problems or situations. Adopting a holistic view enables a person to view a problem more objectively and come up with better decisions or solutions. A holistic view also means that one does not confine one\'s understanding of the world to one\'s own perspective, but also includes the perspective of others. This view also enables a person to better appreciate his or her experiences as vital components that give meaning to life.