Religion and philosophy
Pre-Socratic philosophy:
Background:
● Greek philosophers who were active before or same time as Socrates
● Usually only fragments survive
● Some are quoted by later philosophers
● Trying to understand the world around them
● They reject traditional (mythological) views
● They try to be more rational
● They become the basis from some complex scientific, mathematical and
philosophic questions
Movements:
● Some pre-Socratic ideas form larger followings or movements
● Pluralism
● Pythagoreanism
● The sophists
● Eleatic school
● Rejection of traditional way
Thales of Miletus:
● 6th century bc
● Aristotle regarded him as first Greek Philosopher
● Mathematician, astronomer
● Questioned mythology as the explanation for creation and the world
● He said everything was made of water
● Most pre-Socratic thinkers followed his lead
● Used geometry to calculate the height of pyramids and the distance of
ships from shore
Pythagoras:
● Samos
● Influenced Plato and Aristotle
, ● Advocated vegetarians
● Believed souls are immortal and in reincarnation
● Believed planets and stars move according to maths
● Uses maths to explain the world not the Gods
Heraclitus:
● Said the world was made of fire
● Believes everything is in a constant state of flux
● 'you can't step into same river twice'
● Contrasts Parmenides
Parmenides:
● Founded metaphysics
● Founded the Eleatic school of philosophy
● Believes that everything is static 'out of nothing, nothing comes'
● Mortal people's views could not be trusted or truthful (about creation of
world)
Zeno:
● A follower of Parmenides
● Created a series of 'paradoxes'- some unsolved
● Paradox- goes against popular believe (translation)
● Questions possibilities of time and space- not founded on logic
● Says we can't move
● Reducing argument- removing things he thought were false/wrong
● Thought systems that influence how people think
Protagoras:
● Influenced Bentham, Nietzsche
● Not good at Maths
● Discussed whether virtue could be taught
Pre-Socratic philosophy:
Background:
● Greek philosophers who were active before or same time as Socrates
● Usually only fragments survive
● Some are quoted by later philosophers
● Trying to understand the world around them
● They reject traditional (mythological) views
● They try to be more rational
● They become the basis from some complex scientific, mathematical and
philosophic questions
Movements:
● Some pre-Socratic ideas form larger followings or movements
● Pluralism
● Pythagoreanism
● The sophists
● Eleatic school
● Rejection of traditional way
Thales of Miletus:
● 6th century bc
● Aristotle regarded him as first Greek Philosopher
● Mathematician, astronomer
● Questioned mythology as the explanation for creation and the world
● He said everything was made of water
● Most pre-Socratic thinkers followed his lead
● Used geometry to calculate the height of pyramids and the distance of
ships from shore
Pythagoras:
● Samos
● Influenced Plato and Aristotle
, ● Advocated vegetarians
● Believed souls are immortal and in reincarnation
● Believed planets and stars move according to maths
● Uses maths to explain the world not the Gods
Heraclitus:
● Said the world was made of fire
● Believes everything is in a constant state of flux
● 'you can't step into same river twice'
● Contrasts Parmenides
Parmenides:
● Founded metaphysics
● Founded the Eleatic school of philosophy
● Believes that everything is static 'out of nothing, nothing comes'
● Mortal people's views could not be trusted or truthful (about creation of
world)
Zeno:
● A follower of Parmenides
● Created a series of 'paradoxes'- some unsolved
● Paradox- goes against popular believe (translation)
● Questions possibilities of time and space- not founded on logic
● Says we can't move
● Reducing argument- removing things he thought were false/wrong
● Thought systems that influence how people think
Protagoras:
● Influenced Bentham, Nietzsche
● Not good at Maths
● Discussed whether virtue could be taught
