lecture two

Question 1

Why Greek Philosophy still matters today?

Answer 1

• Ancient Greek philosophy laid the foundation for Western thought.
• Thales - considered the first Western philosopher, theorising nature’s foundation.
• The Milesian school offered proto-scientific views.
• Democritus proposed the existence of atoms.
• Socrates emphasised ethics.
• Plato innovated with dialogues in ethics, politics, and metaphysics.
• Aristotle authored diverse treatises, including biology.
• Hellenists like Epicurus, the Cynics and Stoics focused on developing distinct philosophical lifestyles.

Question 2

Relevance to Modern Law

Answer 2

• Greek legal philosophy laid the groundwork for Western legal thought, emphasising ethics and justice.
• Its discussions on moral principles and civic duty influence modern legal systems, reflecting core values in contemporary law.
• The frameworks established by Greek philosophers regarding the rule of law and the importance of virtue in governance remain pivotal in today’s legal and political discourse.
• Concepts such as justice, equality, and civic responsibility are derived from their philosophies, shaping modern legislative practices.

Question 3

The Philosophy of Socrates

Answer 3

Socrates remains a foundational figure in Western philosophy, emphasising critical thinking and ethical inquiry that continue to shape modern thought.

Question 4

Socrates (470 - 399 BC)

Answer 4

• Socrates was an Athenian philosopher known for his contribution to ethics and epistemology.
• His method of dialogue, known as the Socratic method, involved asking guiding questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. It laid the basis for modern logic.
• Socrates chose not to give answers to questions, but instead posed questions and discussed possible answers.
• Rather than claim he had all the answers, Socrates would say “I know that I know nothing.”
• Sometimes the answer seemed so obvious, it made Socrates’ opponents look foolish. For this, his Socratic Method was admired by some and vilified by others.
• Due to political issues in the wake of the Peloponnesian War, Socrates went on trial for “corrupting the youth” and “failing to acknowledge the gods of the city.” He was convicted by a jury and was sentenced to death by drinking poison. It is history’s first widely-described trial.
• No writings - only known from Plato’s dialogues.

Question 5

Introduction to Philosophy

Answer 5

• Socrates promoted the idea that philosophy should serve the greater good, underlining practical outcomes for society’s welfare.
• He argued that genuine happiness drives human choices, advocating for self-awareness as the ultimate path to wisdom.
• This insight isn’t just personal; it extends to governance - advocating for leadership forged in knowledge and ethical understanding over mere popularity or power.

Question 6

Socrates on Society

Answer 6

• Socrates believes that Athens have all what is necessary to live a good life, and on this basis he has made the most of it for himself.
• This is why he feels loyal to his city.
• However, these ‘ingredients’ remain hidden, as many of his fellow citizens are misled by false beliefs and bad values, which he strongly criticises.
• Socrates does not think Athens is the best polis for its citizens in Greece; in fact, he thinks there are better-run cities that teach virtue (albeit imperfect virtue) more effectively, even though it is Athens which has the most potential.
• For Socrates, the real tragedy of Athens is not his own death - he does not see death as necessarily bad - but rather how the people fail to appreciate and use the wonderful opportunities they have.

Question 7

Socrates on the State

Answer 7

• Socrates’ stance on democracy has been widely disputed:
  ~ some researchers consider him ‘the champion of the open society, and a friend of democracy’ (K. Popper)
  ~ others see him as an enemy of democracy
• For sure he was a critic of the Athenian democracy:
  ~ Socrates likened Athens to a ship with a strong but blind owner who struggles to navigate. The crew is chaotic, wasting resources and arguing about who should lead, each believing any of them could be captain without any real experience or training. They think being captain does not require any special skills.
• Ultimately, he has been called ‘an ideal democratic citizen’ (TL Simpson), one who on the one hand characterised by eternal skepticism and unbridled inquiry, but on the other considers both order and liberty as vital elements to the health of a regime, thus acting to ensure a level of support towards liberty.

Question 8

Socrates on Law

Answer 8

• On the surface, Socrates’ views of the law are inconsistent:
  ~ in the Crito he seems to argue that one must always obey the state, it laws, and its courts of law (Crito 51b-c);
  ~ in the Apology he seems perfectly willing to disobey a court order that would prevent him from practicing philosophy in Athens (Apology 29d).
• Various explanations:
  ~ Socrates is not disobeying a court order but merely disregarding a court warning;
  ~ he is not disobeying the Laws but merely trying to persuade them that they are wrong.
  ~ there are always exceptions to law