Philosophy 144 notes :
Lecture 1 :
Plato and Aristotle influence :
- not only western
- influence contemporary philosophy/society heavily
Ancient Greeks = ‘first philosophers’
- influenced by other civilization (Egyptian/Persian)
first known uni’s = Greeks
source of philosophy/science of discipline (new way of thinking)
what is philosophy ?
“The human attempt to systematically study the most fundamental structures of our entire
experience in order to arrive at beliefs that are as conceptually clear, experientially confirmed
and rationally coherent as possible.”
- Need to know where ideas come from so we ca judge them critically
- many beliefs/concepts/values/attitudes come from the Ancient Greeks, via the Middle
Ages (especially through Christianity, Judaism and Islam)
Epistemology—theory of knowledge
(what can we know and how do we know that it’s true?)
Metaphysics—theory of reality
(What is real? What do mind and consciousness entail? Do we have free will?)
Ethics—what makes something right or wrong? Who decides? Are there objective moral
principles?
Logic—the study of the principles of reason
(what does good reasoning entail?)
Social and political philosophy—what does the ideal state look like? What is the purpose of
government? When is a government legitimate? When is civil disobedience justified?
Philosophy of religion—is there a God? Can we prove the existence of God? What is the
relationship between faith and reason? Is there life after death?
FOCUS
Fact - Where and when? What problems? Why this particular question? Who influenced
him/her?
Outlook - Try to adopt the philosopher’s point of view. Why did s/he answer the question in
this manner? What resources did s/he have available?
, Critique - Which ideas are strong and which weak? Why? How can they be improved upon?
Undergo Self Examination - how would you answer the question? Why? Did you learn
something from the philosopher? Why/Why not?
Lecture 2 :
Thales accurately predicts solar eclipse :
- he was merchant :. came into contact w/ lots of ancient civilizations ideas (e.g.
ancient Greek mythology )
Poets = educators in ancient Greece (:. Greek mythology so prevalent)
- shaped Greek worldview
- explained events via gods
(gods = impulsive too e.g. anger causes earthquake)
- provided moral guidelines
- inspired by humanlike muses (divine)
Homer = Greek poet
- world events caused by gods
- also element of randomness – fate (unable to explain)
- Excellence = ultimate goal (success honor wealth power etc)
- Unclear moral order ( self interested )
- Gods = could be bribed and flattered w/ praise
- People obeyed out of fear
- Zeus = exception - got mad with immoral actions
Conflicts w/ homers worldview
- Some events are purposeless/random
- Gods act immorally but some (Zeus) denounce humans who act immorally
Fate led to natural laws (independent of any agents )
New way of thinking ;
- Propose idea – then have scholarly discussion
- conclusions stand or fall on their own merits(not based on theorists level of authority)
Periods in Greek Philosophy:
Cosmological – Characteristics of nature
Anthropological. – Human centred issues
Systematic – Comprehensive philosophical system
Post-Aristotelian. – Individual/practical
Lecture 1 :
Plato and Aristotle influence :
- not only western
- influence contemporary philosophy/society heavily
Ancient Greeks = ‘first philosophers’
- influenced by other civilization (Egyptian/Persian)
first known uni’s = Greeks
source of philosophy/science of discipline (new way of thinking)
what is philosophy ?
“The human attempt to systematically study the most fundamental structures of our entire
experience in order to arrive at beliefs that are as conceptually clear, experientially confirmed
and rationally coherent as possible.”
- Need to know where ideas come from so we ca judge them critically
- many beliefs/concepts/values/attitudes come from the Ancient Greeks, via the Middle
Ages (especially through Christianity, Judaism and Islam)
Epistemology—theory of knowledge
(what can we know and how do we know that it’s true?)
Metaphysics—theory of reality
(What is real? What do mind and consciousness entail? Do we have free will?)
Ethics—what makes something right or wrong? Who decides? Are there objective moral
principles?
Logic—the study of the principles of reason
(what does good reasoning entail?)
Social and political philosophy—what does the ideal state look like? What is the purpose of
government? When is a government legitimate? When is civil disobedience justified?
Philosophy of religion—is there a God? Can we prove the existence of God? What is the
relationship between faith and reason? Is there life after death?
FOCUS
Fact - Where and when? What problems? Why this particular question? Who influenced
him/her?
Outlook - Try to adopt the philosopher’s point of view. Why did s/he answer the question in
this manner? What resources did s/he have available?
, Critique - Which ideas are strong and which weak? Why? How can they be improved upon?
Undergo Self Examination - how would you answer the question? Why? Did you learn
something from the philosopher? Why/Why not?
Lecture 2 :
Thales accurately predicts solar eclipse :
- he was merchant :. came into contact w/ lots of ancient civilizations ideas (e.g.
ancient Greek mythology )
Poets = educators in ancient Greece (:. Greek mythology so prevalent)
- shaped Greek worldview
- explained events via gods
(gods = impulsive too e.g. anger causes earthquake)
- provided moral guidelines
- inspired by humanlike muses (divine)
Homer = Greek poet
- world events caused by gods
- also element of randomness – fate (unable to explain)
- Excellence = ultimate goal (success honor wealth power etc)
- Unclear moral order ( self interested )
- Gods = could be bribed and flattered w/ praise
- People obeyed out of fear
- Zeus = exception - got mad with immoral actions
Conflicts w/ homers worldview
- Some events are purposeless/random
- Gods act immorally but some (Zeus) denounce humans who act immorally
Fate led to natural laws (independent of any agents )
New way of thinking ;
- Propose idea – then have scholarly discussion
- conclusions stand or fall on their own merits(not based on theorists level of authority)
Periods in Greek Philosophy:
Cosmological – Characteristics of nature
Anthropological. – Human centred issues
Systematic – Comprehensive philosophical system
Post-Aristotelian. – Individual/practical
