Greek Philosophers

983 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Hellenic civilization effects on western civilization

Greek Philosophers

Socrates, Plato and Aristotle had virtually the same beliefs

about man's relation to the State, although Plato's political

theory of the State was more rational than Socrates or

Aristotle's. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle all believed that

man was not self-sufficient, they believed man would be most

happy living in a State. They also believed that all men wanted

to live the truly good life where they could be in tune with

the truth and achieve their ultimate goals. Although Socrates,

Plato and Aristotle's political views of the State are similar,

Plato's view is more rational than Socrates and Aristotle's in

the sense that he created an ideal State. Socrates, Plato and

Aristotle were three philosophers in ancient Greece who

believed that no man was self-sufficient enough to live on his

own. Plato believed "a State comes into existence because no

individual is self-sufficing" (Stumph, 70). This theory of

Plato's was also shared by Aristotle who said "He who is unable

to live in society or who has no need because he is sufficient

for himself, must either be a beast or a god" (Stumph, 103).

These two views indicate the importance of a State to an

individual according to Plato and Aristotle. All three

philosophers believed that man would be much happier if he was

part of a State rather than on his own. Socrates once stated

"We are all more productive if we specialize in one thing

rather than try to excel at many things" (Stumph, 40). Within

the State Socrates believed that there would be a division of

labour for the provision of food, shelter and clothing. An

individual living outside of a State would have to provide

thems! elves with these necessities. As Socrates stated above

within the State you would specialize in one thing only, while a

different individual would specialize in something else and this would

allow the quality and the quantity of the product to increase. "Plato

assumes that we are all born with physical and intellectual equipment

that makes us suited to perform some tasks better than others" (Rice,

42). So now individuals only have to specialize in something that they

are physically and intellectually suited for according to Plato. These

three philosophers believed that if man could be more productive by

specializing in something that they are suited for they would be

happier. Aristotle made the point that "Every community is established

with the view to some good; and that mankind always act in order to

obtain that which they think good" (Copleston, 351).

Socrates, Plato and Aristotle all believed that man needs to be

Show More
Related

  • Wayne White's 'Golden Surf Rossi: The Seventies'

    783 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the Florence and the early renaissance, we have the greatest master of art like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli and others. In this period of time the painters almost never show their emotions or feelings, they were more focused on indulging the churches and the wealthy people. In The renaissance period the art provides the work of art with ideal, intangible qualities, giving it a beauty and significance greater and more permanent than that actually found in the modern art. Florence and the early renaissance, the art become very valued where every artist was trying to create art forms consistent with the appearance of the beauty or elegance in a natural perspective. However, Renaissance art seems to focus more on the human as an individual, while Wayne White art takes a broader picture with no humans whatsoever; Wayne, modern three dimensional arts often utilizes a style of painting more abstract than Renaissance art. At this point in the semester these two aspects of abstract painting and the early renaissance artwork have significant roles in the paintings. Wayne White brings unrealistic concepts that provoke a new theme of art, but nevertheless the artistic creations of the piece of art during early renaissance still represent the highest of attainment in the history of

    Read More

  • The Financial Crisis of 2007-2008 and The Federal Reserve

    2612 Words  | 6 Pages

    The financial crisis of 2007–2008 is considered by many economists the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. This crisis resulted in the threat of total collapse of large financial institutions, the bailout of banks by national governments, and downturns in stock markets around the world. The crisis led to a series of events including: the 2008–2012 global recessions and the European sovereign-debt crisis. The reasons of this financial crisis are argued by economists. The performance of the Federal Reserve becomes a focal point in this argument.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Barack Obama's The Audacity Of Hope

    1256 Words  | 3 Pages

    Barack Obama came on to the political stage in 2004 when he gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. Before this momentous occasion very few people had heard of the Junior Senator from Illinois – he had only been in the Senate for eight months. He titled the speech “The Audacity of Hope” to highlight the strength and resilience of the country and to encourage people struggling to rise out of poverty and despair and help them believe in a better future for themselves, their children, their families and their country.

    Read More

  • Adam and Eve

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...s face. Masaccio's extrodinary focus on colors adds a new fundamental component to the painting.

    Read More

  • Greek Mythology

    344 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Greeks believed that the earth was formed before any of the gods appeared. The gods, as the Greeks knew them, all originated with Father Heaven, and Mother Earth. Father Heaven was known as Uranus, and Mother Earth, as Gaea. Uranus and Gaea raised many children. Amoung them were the Cyclopes, the Titans, and the Hecatoncheires, or the

    Read More

  • Lamentation and the Evolution of Technique

    920 Words  | 2 Pages

    While paintings in the Renaissance and beyond still had a ways to go in terms of technique and perspective, the progress made in Italy during this time period was astounding. Painters were able to convey emotions and feelings like never before, showing the world that they could transport them to scenes they had only seen in flat, Byzantine images. In a time of straining to make art look real, the use of perspective was the key.

    Read More

  • Greek Mythology

    1223 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mythology was an integral part of the lives of all ancient peoples. The myths of

    Read More

  • Critical Analysis of Michael Baxandall's Conditions of Trade

    1201 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...laced on the style and materials presented in the painting. While evaluating and comparing various paintings the author feels that at the beginning of the Renaissance era the skill level of the artist was often not acknowledged whereas materials were, but at the end of the era, skill level played a larger factor in who was chosen to complete the artwork. Therefore, fresco painting, which emerged near the end of the period, changed this so called “deposit”, along with the relationship of the artist and the patron, allowing for the talent and skill of the artist to shine.

    Read More

  • Renaissance Art Parmigianino

    1033 Words  | 3 Pages

    This painting has deviated from the standard Renaissance model in that it goes beyond depicting subjects and scene, and employs exaggerated form, color emphasis, abnormal planar depiction, and visual directionality. The aspects of this painting have become the embodiment of the story told and the characters there held. The artist has used various techniques of color, line, and juxtaposition in order to portray an idea which supersedes the sum of its parts, and thereby leads the viewer through a thought.

    Read More

  • Analysis of Plato's The Republic

    2022 Words  | 5 Pages

    Plato supposed that people exhibit the same features, and perform the same functions that city-states do. Applying the analogy in this way presumes that each of us, like the state, is a complex whole made up of several distinct parts, each of which has its own proper role. But Plato argued that there is evidence of this in our everyday experience. When faced with choices about what to do, we commonly feel the tug of many different impulses drawing us in different directions all at once, and the most natural explanation for this situ...

    Read More

  • Historical Views of Leadership: Plato and Aristotle

    1328 Words  | 3 Pages

    Both men lived in 4th century BCE Athens, so much of their background and experience was shared. Aristotle was the younger of the two, and he was Plato’s student. Where leadership is concerned, both philosophers agreed that the “best men” should rule, and that the purpose of leadership was the betterment of the State. They also agreed that education was paramount to forming these best men. They disagreed, however, on whether or not leaders were born with inherent qualities, or if these qualities depend solely on education. They also disagreed about whether or not a strict separation between leaders and followers is required, and what form of government the best State should take.

    Read More

  • Socrates, Plato, And Aristotle: The Philosophy Of The World Today

    1805 Words  | 4 Pages

    Throughout history there have been many philosophers that have contributed to the way we view the world today. Although each philosopher’s way of thinking was unique, their ideas would usually derive from a previous philosopher. Greek philosophers are especially the most well known by today’s society. Where would we be without the theories of Socrates, Plato, or Aristotle? Although some of their theories may not be correct, they still made us raise questions about the world we live in and come up with answers that we rely on today. Mathematics, physics, and evolution are just a few subjects of the many that we would have little knowledge about without the theories of these ancient Greek philosophers.

    Read More

  • Renaissance Art Essay

    1009 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is not limited to just painting and sculptures, but architecture and many other forms as well. The Italian Renaissance time period was a very crucial part of art history. Many famous artists that many people, even those who are not find of art, known of were around during this time period. Divided into two parts, early and high renaissance, each part had it’s own contribution to the advancement of art. The early part of the time period was used for experimenting different techniques and production and was mainly in Florence. Later on, during the high period, the techniques that were effective moved to Rome and Milan. Leonardo Di Vinci was, and still is, a very known artist. Di Vinci created many beautiful paintings. His most famous painting, Last Supper was created between 1485-1498. He used oil, tempera, and varnish on plaster. Another great artist of this time period, was Filippo Brunelleschi. Brunelleschi was an architect, sculptor, and theorist who revived the classical architecture. He also invented a the first laws of a technique we still use today called one point perspective, or linear. He was the one who said that all parallel lines in a drawing/painting should meet at a vanishing point. Since then there have been more perspectives discovered, like two and three pint perspectives. Like one-point perspective, the picture plane was discovered during the Renaissance. It isn’t as commonly used as the other but it still is

    Read More

  • Ancient Greek Civilization

    752 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ancient Greek Civilization has been one of the most influential and significant civilizations throughout history. Ancient Greeks made very important contributions to the civilization of the ancient world and the future civilizations. Politically, intellectually, and artistically, the Greeks influenced the world of the past and the future societies. Greece may look like a small country, but it was the birth of the greatest influences in ancient and modern life.

    Read More

  • Plato's Explanation of an Ideal State in his Work, The Republic

    1874 Words  | 4 Pages

    ... state. In Plato's argument for the ideal state, the fundamental bonds which hold together his republic are unity and harmony. He explains how the just state is held together by the unity of each individual in each social class, and harmony between all three social classes. Plato explains how the ideal state must have citizens who are united in their goals. It is not the happiness of the individual but rather the happiness of the whole which keeps the just state ideal. At the same time, Plato argues that there must be harmony within the individual souls which make up the state. The lack of unity and harmony leads to despotism through anarchy which eventually arises within a democracy. Plato makes a clear argument, through The Republic, that without the unity and harmony of the individual and the state there can be no order and therefore there can be no ideal state.

    Read More

More about Greek Philosophers

Open Document