Lect 9 Greek Philosophy
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Greek Philosophy I. Classical Age in Greece, 490-323 BCE II. Classical Greek Values III. Greek Philosophy IDs: polis, Pericles, hoplite phalanx, rationalism 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. 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 I. Classical Greece, 490-323 BCE A. Origins 1. On periphery of Mesopotamian/ Egyptian civilizations 2. Cultural Development Ca. 1200 BCE: Trojan War 800 BCE: Homer writes Iliad & Odyssey 3. Government: Polis (city-state) Athens Sparta Corinth Ephesus 4. Dependence on Sea, Trade & Colonies Mediterranean Network, 1000-300 BCE Purple: Greeks Blue-Green: Phoenicians B. War with Persia, 490-480 BCE Hoplite Phalanxes C. Athens in the Classical Age Democracy Trade Philosophy Architecture Democracy Limitations: Male Free Citizen Public Life Pericles demogogue Slavery D. Sparta in the Classical Age military identity helots D. Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE): Athens vs. Sparta II. Classical Greek Values: A. Competition & Individual glory B. Identity: Citizenship in the polis Citizensoldiers hoplites C. Dissatisfaction with Religion Olympian gods Zeus anthropomorphic D. Male Superiority & Separate Socializing Patriarchy Seclusion of elite women Symposium III. Classical Greek Philosophy A. Rationalism Reason Division of mind & emotions B. Humanism Human wisdom, beauty, skill Science Poetry Music Sports Drama C. Education competition reading writing athletics self-control D. Debate & Public Life Agora (marketplace) Analysis Politics (from Polis = city-state) E. Study of Nature & Human world Sciences Math Medicine Poetry Sculpture Theater: tragedy & comedy 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.
