1b: Knowing and Believing
Lesson 1 of 5: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle
Aim of the lesson
For the students to have:
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Knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle
Knowledge and understanding of the nature and role of Faith and Reason.
Opportunity to evaluate the ideas outlined.
Differentiation / Extension
Extension: students could go into further research into Aristotle and try to give
illustrations of ways in which his ideas are foundational to approaches to truth in the
Western world.
Lower Ability: Student Resource Sheets 1[LA] Socrates, 2[LA] Plato and 3
[LA] Aristotle
Assessment
Teacher: informal as groups carrying out task.
Teacher/peer: presentation of philosophers.
Duration 1 Hour
Timings
Starter
10 minutes – activity on different kinds of knowledge.
Main activity 30 minutes – group research into, and presentation of, philosophers.
Plenary
20 minutes – group presentation and summary
Intended Age 16-18
Previous Knowledge needed by teacher: The teacher should have read through
the overview and Student Resources 1 [Socrates], 2 [Plato] and 3 [Aristotle]
Previous Knowledge needed by students: None
Background Reading
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Raeper and Smith, A Beginner’s Guide to Ideas, , Lion Publisher.
L. Ahluwahlia, Foundation Study to Religious Studies, Hodder.
A Jordan et al.; Philosophy of Religion for A level, Stanley Thornes
Stephen Law, The Philosophy Files, Dolphin.
Irwin, Conard, Skoble, The Simpsons and Philosophy, Open Court.
J Tyerman Williams, Pooh and the Philosophers; Methuen Publisher.
Philosophy goes to the Movies; Ch. Falzon; Routledge discusses the
following relevant films:
 The Conformist (Bernado Bertolucci, 1970)
 Cinema Paradiso (Giuseppe Tornatore, 1989)
 A Cockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick, 1971)
 Socrates (Roberto Rossellini, 1970)
Science and Religion in Schools Project – Unit 1b: Knowing and Believing
Websites
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www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/SOCRATES.HTM
www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/PLATO.HTM
www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/ARIST.HTM
Resources
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Student
Student
Student
Student
Student
Student
Resource
Resource
Resource
Resource
Resource
Resource
Sheet
Sheet
Sheet
Sheet
Sheet
Sheet
1
1[LA]
2
2[LA]
3
3[LA]
Socrates
Socrates
Plato
Plato
Aristotle
Aristotle
Introduction / Starter activity
In pairs, give the students 2 minutes to compose as many sentences as possible with
the words ‘I know’ in them (this could be competitive to add to the fun; if they are
finding it too easy, make it a shorter time). Share some of these with the class.
Listen out for any that are given which illustrate different kinds of knowing e.g ‘I
know my boy friend loves me’ I know 2 add 2 makes 4’. Question the class as to
what is different in these two kinds of knowing. Then extend the activity by asking
them to sort their sentences into different kinds of knowing. Explain that this lesson
is about people who have different ideas as to how we can know things. Give one or
two thinking points, e.g.
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Is belief a kind of knowing?
Is belief as certain as knowing?
What is the difference between believing and knowing?
Main Activities
1) Divide the class into three groups according to the following questions. Ask
them:
a) Who believes that knowledge has something to do with human intuition?
(group ‘Socrates’)
b) Who believes that knowledge is based on reason (group ‘Plato’)
c) Who believes that knowledge is based on sense observation (group
‘Aristotle’)
2) The task is for each group to find out about their philosopher’s concept of
knowledge and truth and the role of God/belief within those concepts using the
provided resources (see resource list above). Each group should make brief notes
about the philosopher’s ideas and then to give a brief presentation in front of the
class.
Science and Religion in Schools Project – Unit 1b: Knowing and Believing
Plenary
Plenary: 15 minutes (5 min. for each group)
Each group to present its philosopher to the rest of the class.
Next lesson we will focus on the two most common concepts of knowledge and
belief.
1. Rationalism (reason is the only basis for knowing; Plato’s approach)
2. Empiricism (sense observation is the basis for knowing; Aristotle’s approach)
3. There are other approaches such as ‘Fideism’ (belief/revelation is the only
basis for knowing).
For now we can conclude:
1. Socrates believed that conscience is the inner voice of God. It is the ultimate
source of truth that we must seek to follow even at the cost of life.
2. Plato believed in two different worlds: the world of sense experience and the
world of ideas. The latter one is the source of ultimate truth. The Form of the
Good is the highest of all forms and is divine. Knowledge of the Form of the
Good is knowing the true nature of all things and also of morality. Behaving
immorally means not knowing properly.
3. Aristotle believed that this world is the only world and that sense
observation is the source of true knowledge. Understanding the nature of
things also means understanding the purpose of things. Good is something if
it fulfils its purpose (e.g. a good tiger kills antelopes; a good human being
uses reason and is educated). Moral absolutes are within the nature of things
(innate values). God is the cause and final purpose of everything.
4. Further suggestions include watching and discussing relevant films listed
below for which further lesson time is needed.
Science and Religion in Schools Project – Unit 1b: Knowing and Believing