Religion And Philosophy Flashcards
What ideology do the Presocratics reject?
Gods may intervene in all aspects of the world, from weather to mundane particulars of human life
How did the Presocratics see the world?
As a Kosmos, an ordered natural arrangement
What is the example given by Xenophanes on the Kosmos?
“She whom they call Iris, this too is by nature a cloud” Iris the Rainbow
Thales of Miletus (4)
Famous engineer, geometer and astronomer
Natural philosopher
Scientific
‘Water is essential to life’
Xenophanes of Colophon (4)
Outspoken critic against the traditional gods
Believed that the stars originated from clouds in the sea
Criticised Hesiod and Homer (amoral gods)
Henotheistic
Thucydides (4)
Scientifically explains the symptoms of the plague
Suggested that prayers were futile
The dead were buried with little sanctity from the gods
Sceptical of Oracles
The Sophists (5)
Travelling teachers around the Mediterranean offered to teach rhetoric, wisdom and craft for a high rate
Plato- “those who prostitution wisdom”
Produce successful speakers and politicians
Everyman was entitled to his own opinions
Unpopular with traditionalists
Two examples of sophists (4)
Hippias- mathematics
Prodicus- linguistics
Give two examples of famous writers who critiqued the gods
Euripides and Aristophanes
How did Euripides critique the gods?
“If the gods do anything reprehensible, they are not gods” Bellerophon
How did Aristophanes critique the gods?
“What Zeus? Do not trifle. There is no Zeus” - line from ‘Clouds’ dialog from Socrates
Aristophanes and Euripides work would be performed in the Dionysia- why would this be allowed at a religious festival?
A play- masked to prevent hubris
Comical satire
When and where was Socrates born?
Athens, 469 BC (10 years after the Persian wars)
What are Socrates main philosophies? (6)
1) ask questions to examine morals
2) virtue couldn’t be taught
3) the gods are superior
4) no one desires evil or knowingly does evil things
5) committing evil acts damages the soul
6) Decisions were influenced by ‘ daimonion’ divine intervention
Socrates is one of the first to bring in morality into philosophy
Reasons why Socrates was innocent of impiety (3)
1) he didn’t deny the gods existence
2) be gives the gods higher moral standing to the gods then Hesiod or Homer
3) His ‘Daimonion’ could be interpreted as a omen
Reasons why Socrates was found guilty (3+1?)
1) Daimonion could be interpreted as Socrates creating a false god or participating in dark magic
2) Priests were the only ones who could interpret signs
3) Told students they could change their fate through good deeds
+1) Plato Socrates student never discusses Socrates participating in classical piety (festivals and sacrifices)
Other reasons why Socrates was feared?
1) Association with Alcibiades (herms and eleusinian mystery)
2) in 441 BC, 400 Athenians attempted an oligarchy but democracy was later restored- some were associates of Socrates
3) 404 BC after defeat of Athens by Sparta, oligarchy of 30 (critias and charmides) later beaten by Democrats
What year was Socrates trial?
399 BC
How many were on jury?
500
Who conducted Socrates defence?
Himself
Who’s accounts of Socrates trial do we rely on and who is more reliable? (2)
Xenophanes and Plato
Plato, as Xenophanes was not around for the trial
Describes Socrates punishment
1) found guilty, many argued for death but he could of escaped with exile
2) he was asked for a realistic punishment in which he stated a small fine
3) The jury voted for death and Socrates drank Hemlock
