WOH 2012 Chapter Notes - Chapter 9: Hellenistic Philosophy, Natural Philosophy, Stoicism
Document Summary
Pre-socratics: the greek philosophers before socrates, plato, & aristotle who focused on the material world. Greeks were the first to not look towards the gods for explanation of natural phenomena. Natural law a set of phenomena in nature that, when properly understood, explain why things occur. Socrates: the first philosopher to focus on the ethical & epistemological questions. Plato: socrates" student; defended socrates when he was put on trial: branched away from socrates and focused more on anti-democratic things. Aristotle: plato"s student; greatest natural philosopher & created many scientific fields. Cynicism: a hellenistic philosophy stressing poverty & simplicity. Epicureanism: a hellenistic philosophy advocating the pursuit of pleasure (mental) and avoidance of pain as the supreme good. Stoicism: a hellenistic philosophy that emphasized human brotherhood & natural law as guiding principles. Greek religion differed from other agrarian civilizations because it was humanistic. The greeks believed that humans and gods came from the place so humans could do anything.
