CH 8: Greek Civilization & Alexander

Lesson 2World History

Mr. Rich

Miami Arts Charter

Sections: Part 1: Greek Thinkers - Philosophers

Part 2: New History and Science Ideas

Greek Thinkers - Philosophers What is Philosophy

Re-thinking what is conventional Means “love of wisdom” in Greek Thinking about thinking

Hmmm…Let’s think about this

Greek Thinkers - Philosophers The Sophists

Traveled through Greece as teachers (math, science, history and rhetoric)

Rejected that the gods influenced human actions

Did not believe in absolute right or wrong Argued that morality was personal and different What was right for you might be wrong for me

Vilified by many Greeks as lacking in morals

Greek Thinkers - Philosophers Socrates

Born in Athens (470 BCE) Disagreed with the Sophists Believed that absolute truth

could be discovered Developed the Socratic Method What is the Socratic Method?

Can you teach through questions? Do questions make you think

about many possible answers? Is it better to come to a conclusion on your own? Why do I keep asking you questions?

Greek Thinkers - Philosophers Socrates

Pericles convinced the assembly of Athens that they could win a war against Sparta

Socrates was one of the only members of the assembly to argue against the war and voted against it

The war ended in a defeat for Athens Freedom of speech was limited after the war

In 399 Socrates is arrested and charged with corrupting the youth

He offers his “apology” to the assembly He is ordered to be put to death by drinking poison

(hemlock)

Greek Thinkers - Philosophers Socrates could have chosen to be ostracized from the city Instead he chose to accept his punishment

Greek Thinkers - Philosophers Plato

A student and follower of Socrates He wrote down many of Socrates teachings

including his “Apology”

It wasn’t much of an apology…

Greek Thinkers - Philosophers He also wrote “The Republic”

Plan for an ideal society 1st - Philosopher Kings rule city through logic and wisdom 2nd – Warrior class defends the city 3rd – Workers perform all important tasks in running the city

Plato disliked Athenian democracy

Plato did argue for more rights for women. Believed in equality

Greek Thinkers - Philosophers Aristotle

Student of Plato He becomes a teacher to Alexander

the Great

Teaches “The Golden Mean” The middle between two extremes Live life in moderation

Writes the book “Politics” Describes three forms of Greek

governments(Monarchy, Oligarchy and Democracy)

Argues that the best government would combine all three types into one.

New History and Science Ideas Herodotus

Wrote history of Persian Wars Mixed facts with myth

Thucydides General during the

Peloponnesian War Wrote a history of the war He got firsthand accounts of the war

from those who fought it Did not use myths or

gods to explain events

Herodotus and I helped make this class possible.

You’re welcome.

New History and Science Ideas Thales (Scientist)

Studied the world around him through observation Developed theories and tested them through

experimentation Used logic to solve problems

Measured the height of the Great Pyramid of Giza by measuring its shadow

Pythagoras (Mathematician) Believed the world could

be understood through numbers Known for Pythagorean Theorem

New History and Science Ideas Hippocrates

Doctor in ancient Greece Known as the “father of

medicine” Believed diseases were caused

naturally and not by spirits The Hippocratic Oath is named

for him Doctor’s today still take the oath

and swear to “do no harm.”

Review Questions: answer in your notes Why might Plato have come to dislike Athenian-style

democracy?

How did the study of philosophy encourage other advances in ancient Greece?

Why might Socrates be considered a martyr?

How does Socrates connect to Alexander the Great?

Why might Plato’s Republic be called a utopia?