Greek Greek PhilosophersPhilosophers

““Lovers of Wisdom”Lovers of Wisdom”

Basic AssumptionsBasic Assumptions

Universe is orderly and subject to Universe is orderly and subject to absolute and unchanging lawsabsolute and unchanging laws

People can understand these laws People can understand these laws through logic and reasonthrough logic and reason

Socrates Socrates (469-399 B.C.)(469-399 B.C.)

Fought in the Fought in the Pelopponesian WarPelopponesian War

Inherited moneyInherited money

Great TeacherGreat Teacher

Used question and Used question and answer approachanswer approach

Socrates Socrates (469-399 B.C.)(469-399 B.C.)

Controversial figureControversial figure

Examined peoples Examined peoples moral assumptionsmoral assumptions

Criticized Athenian Criticized Athenian democracydemocracy

Trial of SocratesTrial of Socrates

Put on trial at age 70Put on trial at age 70

Charged with:Charged with: Not believing in the gods the state Not believing in the gods the state

believed inbelieved in Introducing New Divine PowersIntroducing New Divine Powers Corrupting the youngCorrupting the young

Convicted and sentenced to death.Convicted and sentenced to death.

Plato Plato (427-347 B.C.)(427-347 B.C.)

Socrates’ pupilSocrates’ pupil

Established the Established the AcademyAcademy

The RepublicThe Republic His vision of a His vision of a

perfectly run perfectly run governmentgovernment

Ideal society has three Ideal society has three classesclasses

Plato’s Plato’s RepublicRepublic

Philosopher-kingPhilosopher-king governs. Person governs. Person with greatest insight and intellect.with greatest insight and intellect.

GuardiansGuardians keep order and defend the keep order and defend the citycity

Ordinary citizens:Ordinary citizens: farmers, farmers, merchants, and craftworkers who merchants, and craftworkers who provide society’s needsprovide society’s needs

AristotleAristotle(384-322 B.C.)(384-322 B.C.)

Plato’s studentPlato’s student

Opened a rival Opened a rival school: the Lyceumschool: the Lyceum

Most famous work is Most famous work is PoliticsPolitics

Aristotle’s Aristotle’s PoliticsPolitics

““Man is a rational animal” who is Man is a rational animal” who is happy when his life is governed by happy when his life is governed by reason.reason.

The main purpose of government is to The main purpose of government is to ensure the happiness of its people.ensure the happiness of its people.

Favored a constitutional government Favored a constitutional government in which all citizens participate.in which all citizens participate.

Aristotle’s Aristotle’s PoliticsPolitics

““I believe in the rule of laws, not I believe in the rule of laws, not men”. Government must be based on men”. Government must be based on laws that are written down.laws that are written down.

He feared class warfare between the He feared class warfare between the rich and the poor.rich and the poor.

The constitution should balance the The constitution should balance the interests of both groups.interests of both groups.