INTRO
Generalization last time that the Greeks most important of ancient peoples in terms of impact on subsequent civilization. Told you also that, in my opinion, most single important contribution of the Greeks is philosophy. Now many would say "Philosophy? What use is that? Leads to nothing but confusion." Greeks themselves didn't always trust philosophy: one of most important philosophers, Socrates, put to death--forced to drink hemlock.
He had never wrote a book or published an article. Never had a paid teaching position. Never took a dime for his teacing. (Couldn't! Couldn't get a job at Harvard, Stanford, NSU! Something wrong with a system that would let Art Marmorstein teach and not Jesus or Socrates!)
And yet despite this, probably greatest teacher who ever lived. The mark of a truly great teacher is not so much what they can achieve themselves, as what they inspire their students to create, and in this area, Socrates must rank among the greatest teachers of all time.
Of all his students, the most famous a man by the name of Plato. Well, actually--he wasn't named Plato, that's just what we call him. His real name was Aristocles. Why then do we call him Plato? Well, it has nothing to do with philosophy. In his younger days, Aristocles was a wrestler--and built like a wrestler--bulging muscles everywhere--and particularly broad shoulders. It was these shoulders that gave him his nick-name, "Plato," a Greek word probably best translated as "hunk" or "hulk." (Not the kind of thing you usually associate with a philosopher!)
Nevertheless, Plato not only a philosopher, but perhaps the greatest of all philosophers. One modern philosopher said that all sub. philosophy was nothing more than footnotes to Plato. Contributions extremely impressive:
1. Preserved teaching of Socrates.
2. Carried Socrates teachings much farther
a. Ethics: broader application--Republic.
b. Religion: real world, world of ideas: world of mind
is permanent, soul what's important. Even more important, source
of ideas, God.
c. Religion/ethics combine in Plato's eschatology (judgement)
Note how similar to Christian teachings. Reason, revelation point to same conclusion.
3. Plato's other important contribution: school, Academy, attracted best minds from Greek speaking world, including:
ARISTOTLE
Important to realize that Greek idea of philosophy not nearly as restricted as ours: love of wisdom embraced all knowledge. Typical, Aristotle.
Aristotle left his mark on virtually every field of thought. Biology, Political science, Physics, literary criticism (tragedy is the imitation of an action, etc.). So impressive his achievement, that in later centuries people reluctant to challenge teachings of Aristotle, and eventually lead to some stagnation--but this hardly Aristotle's fault! Behind Aristotle's great achievements was an immensely attractive and consistent philophy, derived partly from the teachings of Socrates and Plato, but with a far greater emphasis on the material world and life in the material world.
Aristotle believed that the hunger for knowledge was perhaps the greatest of all motivating forces, "All men by nature desire knowledge." Lots of teachers wouldn't agree. I'm not so sure. Do without eyes? Without ears? Without taste? Touch? These important because give us knowledge. Further, said Aristotle, our whole purpose in life is to acquire knowledge. How did he come to this conclusion?
TELOS (all things purpose: purpose what makes them unique. History professors boring. Purpose must be to put you to sleep.) Human purpose: reasoning.
Aristotle established own school (Lyceum). Along with Academy, attracted best minds for 1000 years!
I need to emphasize that for the Greek philosophers the most important aspect of philosophy was the practical, how we should live our day to day lives, and above all, how we can be happy. Aristotle no exception. His philosophy stressed moderation: "Golden mean is best."
Not quite so moderate, another Greek philosopher who lived at
roughly the same time, Diogenes.
Diogenes the advocate of a philosophy called Cynicism.
Diogenes believed that happiness came through living as simply as possible.
You want to be happy? Look at dogs. Dogs are happy--and if
you want to be happy, you should live like a dog. (Cynic comes from
kunos).
1. Dogs don't worry about material possessions: they're right! Diogenes: pouch, cup, staff. Throws away cup!
2. Dogs don't worry about mortgages. (Diogenes lived in public buildings, slept in tub.)
3. Dogs don't worry about their dignity. Throw a scrap of food on the ground, they'll go for it. Foods food! (Diogenes treated like a dog. Acts like one. Cute. Until he sprays them!)
4. Dogs don't worry about other dogs dignity either. (Diogenes and Philip: a spy on your greed. Diogenes and Alexander: what can I do for you? don't you fear me? )
5. Dogs can take disappointment (kick a dog, it yelps then comes right back with a stupid grin). Diogenes also advocated bearing up under disappointments. (Begging from a statue of Zeus).
6. Don't expect too much. Cynicism: Diogenes with
lantern. (Looking for a true man: plenty of males, no men.)
Why? Because people work hard to be good athletes, no one works
hard at becoming a good man. People don't care about what's really
important. (Whistling).
Now you would think Athenians would hate Diogenes more than Socrates. Not so! Vandals broke his tub, people of Athens took up a collection--and bought him a new tub!
Why? Partly because Diogenes diffused some of the harsh things he had to say with humor. Example: prostitute's son throwing rocks at crowd, "Careful, son. Don't hit your father." Then there's my favorite Diogenes line:
Why do people give money to beggars but not to philosophers? People are afraid they might become beggars some day, but nobody is afraid they might become a philosopher!
Diogenes philosophy the kind of thing that can help you bear up under even the most difficult circumstances. But the Greeks had even better philosophies for helping people cope with difficult times.
STOICS (founded by Zeno, c. 314)
A. Cycles
B. Ethics
C. Brotherhood of man
D. Problem of suffering: men don't have what want/so want what
you get.
E. No choice! Determined anyway by fate, so all you can
do is adjust your own attitude. Ultimate goal...
F. Apatheia! Not to care no matter what evil comes your
way.
(All of you excellent Stoic philosophers, putting up with this class
without complaint.)
Even more into apatheia, Epicureans.
EPICUREANS (Epicurus 342-270)
Main concern, overcoming fear. Fear exceedingly unpleasant. Greatest fear of all: death. Handle that, handle anything. Epicurus clever way for handling fear of death. Return to democritus idea of atoms. All there is is atoms and void. When you are born, atoms come together. When you die, atoms come apart. What's big deal? Further, you won't even know it when you're dead. You won't be there anymore. Typical: I was not, I was, I am not. I don't care."
So, if we don't worry about what comes after death, we worry about here and now. What do we do now? Seek pleasure, what Epicurus considered greatest good. But while seeking pleasure, we also need to avoid pain. The problem is, that most pleasures involve some pain, maybe even quite a bit of pain.
Drinking?
Food?
Sex?
So have to find a pleasure without pain. And there is one! The pleasure of learning! I am giving you what Epicurus said is the greatest of pleasures. (Epicurus was an idiot!)
Greek contributions in one more important area: science.