Philosophy history Flashcards
Socrates
Understanding the true nature of ourselves & understanding the limits of what we know
Ask questions, look at reasons and evidence
Plato
Platonic dialogues: believed to reference Socrates’ methods
The nature of reality is discovered by thinking, not through using senses
Theory of forms: gain knowledge through abstract thought
Aristotle: true happiness
True happiness: not short term joy, requires time
Explored experienced reality through the senses
How should we live our lives? Seek happiness - eudaimonia (flourish/success)
How? Develop the right kind of character: virtues vs. vices
The Golden Mean: virtues lie between two extremes - bravery (foolhardy & cowardly)
We decide what we want to do & be - aim to become better people and connect this to the societies we live in
Eudaimonia is only achieved in relation to the state
Human nature, the way of living that suits us best, is achieved through reasoning
Pyrrho - we know nothing
Don’t commit or trust your senses
What are things really like? No way of knowing - (but ignore all instincts?)
Do not commit - avoids disappointment - freedom from all cares
Become skeptical - free of all worry, avoid being dogmatic
Epicurus 300 BC - The Garden
Philosophy should be practical, used as a therapy - we all seek pleasure, we avoid pain - be generous & keep life’s desires simple
Fear of death? Waste of time - based on bad logic
Death: not experienced, good memories ease the dying process
We don’t worry about not being born prior to being alive, why worry about being alive after we die?
“I was not; I have been; I am not; I do not mind”
The Stoics - Psychological Toughness, Learning not to Care - psycho-therapy
Epictetus, Cicero & Seneca
Philosophical is often used as the stoics would: accept what you can not change & aim to calm life
remove emotions that cloud judgement and be responsible for what we think & feel
Accept the old age physical & mental decline with positivity
Seneca - life is limited, make the most of it by being a recluse & studying philosophy
Happiness comes from inside, a state of the mind
