Unit 11: Plato and Aristotle: Terms Flashcards
Aristotle
A Greek philosopher and student of Plato, Aristotle emphasized empirical observation and logic. He wrote on ethics, politics, metaphysics, and science, founding the Lyceum in Athens. His idea of the “golden mean” promotes moderation, and his Politics analyzes different government systems.
Battle of Mantinea
Fought in 362 BCE between Thebes and Sparta (with Athens as an ally), this battle marked the decline of Theban power. The Theban general Epaminondas was killed, and Greece remained politically fragmented. It paved the way for Macedonian dominance.
Dicasteries
These were the Athenian courts, composed of large citizen juries with no judges. Verdicts were determined by majority vote, and there was no appeal system. They played a key role in Athenian democracy, often influenced by rhetoric.
Golden mean
A concept from Aristotle’s ethics, the golden mean is the idea that virtue lies between extremes of excess and deficiency. For example, courage is a balance between recklessness and cowardice. It promotes moderation in thought and action.
Guardians
In Plato’s Republic, the Guardians are the ruling class responsible for governing the ideal state. They are selected for their wisdom and education, living communally without private wealth to prevent corruption. The philosopher-kings emerge from this class.
Hegemony of Thebes
– Thebes briefly dominated Greece after defeating Sparta at Leuctra (371 BCE) and Mantinea (362 BCE). The Theban general Epaminondas reformed warfare with the oblique phalanx tactic. The hegemony ended with Thebes’ defeat by Macedon.
Parable of the Cave
Plato’s allegory in The Republic illustrates how education leads from ignorance to enlightenment. Prisoners in a cave see only shadows, mistaking them for reality, until one escapes and sees the true world. It symbolizes the philosopher’s journey to knowledge.
Philosopher-king
Plato’s ideal ruler in The Republic, the philosopher-king governs with wisdom and justice. He understands the Forms, especially the Form of Good, and rules not for personal gain but for the welfare of the state.
Plato
A student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, Plato founded the Academy in Athens. His philosophy emphasized ideal forms, arguing that reality is a reflection of perfect, abstract entities. His works include The Republic, The Symposium, and The Laws.
Plato’s Republic
A philosophical dialogue exploring justice and the ideal state. Plato proposes a society ruled by philosopher-kings, divided into three classes (Guardians, Auxiliaries, and Producers). The work also introduces the Allegory of the Cave and the Theory of Forms.
Political animal
Aristotle’s concept that humans are naturally social and political beings. Unlike other animals, humans create laws, discuss justice, and form governments. This idea is central to his political philosophy in Politics.
Tēlos
A Greek term meaning “end” or “purpose,” central to Aristotle’s philosophy. He argued that everything has a natural goal (tēlos), such as an acorn’s goal to become an oak tree or a person’s goal to achieve eudaimonia (flourishing).
Theory of Forms –
Plato’s belief that the material world is a flawed reflection of perfect, eternal Forms (or Ideas). For example, all physical horses are imperfect copies of the ideal Form of “Horse.” True knowledge comes from understanding these Forms.
