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Philosophers Search for Wisdom
The word philosophy means “love of wisdom.” Greek philosophers sought to find
and understand wisdom that would help people lead happy and worthwhile lives.
The Sophists
Some of the earliest teachers of philosophy in Greece were called Sophists, or
“wisdom-mongers.” They taught courses in math, grammar, astronomy, and speech.
Many Sophists were good teachers, who honestly wanted to help their students
learn. Other Sophists taught tricks for winning arguments in law courts, rather than
how to search for the truth.
Who were the Sophists?
Socrates
More important than the Sophists was an Athenian philosopher known as
Socrates. Socrates spent much of his time teaching and asking questions of the
people he met. He asked, “What is the purpose of life?” “What is good?” “What is
justice?” Such questions motivated people to examine what was going on in their
lives. Socrates believed that “a life without inquiry is not worth living.”
Socrates did not write down his ideas. Historians have learned about
Socrates by studying the writings of his student, Plato. Socrates taught that people
should examine their lives carefully to determine if their behavior was desirable.
Each person should think for himself or herself. Each person should seek
knowledge, knowledge helps people be virtuous or honorable. Each person should
learn to understand themselves. “Know Thyself” was the motto of Socrates.
Some leaders of Athens were afraid of Socrates’ ideas. They accused Socrates
of teaching young people dangerous ideas and they brought him to trial. If Socrates
had agreed to stop teaching, he probably would have been freed. He told his
accusers:
“If you say to me: Socrates, this time you shall be let off, but upon one
condition, that you are not to inquire… in this way anymore… I should reply:
Men of Athens… while I have life… I shall never cease from the practice and
teaching of philosophy…”
Since he refused to change his ways, Socrates was sentenced to die. At the
age of seventy, he was executed in the Greek way by being given a cup of the poison
hemlock.
What were the ideas of Socrates?
Plato
The death of Socrates did not stop other Greeks from continuing the search
for wisdom. Plato, a student of Socrates, became the leading philosopher. Plato
attracted so many followers that he set up a school of philosophy in Athens, known
as The Academy.
Plato wrote many dialogues, books describing real and imaginary
conversations between friends. He used these books to explain his ideas: People
should be guided in their lives by justice, honor, goodness and love. They should
stop thinking only of wealth, fine clothing and rich food; all material things
disappear in time. People should do the jobs for which they are best fitted. Good
laborers should work; strong warriors should fight; and people of wisdom should
rule. Only the wisest man and women should rule the people. There should be no
rule by vote of the majority. Women should have equal rights with men.
What do you think of the ideas of Plato?
Aristotle
One of the students who studied under Plato at The Academy was Aristotle.
Aristotle was born in Macedonia. He soon became so famous that he was chosen to
tutor Alexander, the son and heir of King Phillip II of Macedon. Then at age fifty,
Aristotle returned to Athens to set up a school there.
Aristotle was interested in many fields: astronomy, physics, math, anatomy,
politics, art, speech, and philosophy. He collected information on over five hundred
kinds of living organisms because he believed it is important to have scientific
knowledge of the world. He taught and encouraged others to examine, describe and
classify as many forms of life as possible. From his writings, we know much more
about the ideas of Aristotle. People should use their ability at reasoning-thinking
out problems-to help them lead happy lives. Aristotle also believed people should
not go to extremes; they should always take the middle position, “that which is
neither too much nor too little for the particular individual.” Aristotle has strongly
influenced scholars for over fifteen hundred years. Even today, many university
students study his writings. One of his wise sayings is that we “learn by doing.”
Explain some of the teachings and ideas of Aristotle.