GREEK%20PHILOSOPHERS

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GREEK PHILOSOPHERS
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D. Greek Philosophers

• Socrates (469 B.C. 399 B.C)
• a.) got into trouble for questioning the customs,
  traditions and values of Athens
• --Socratic Method-finding knowledge through
  questions
• --Loss to Sparta frustration w/ Socrates
  Socrates
• put on trial
• Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure

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2. Plato (428 B.C.-347 B.C.)

• --Believed average citizens of a democracy were
• unable to govern wisely
• --After death of Socrates he begins quest to
  find
• govt. that brings out the best in people
• The Republic- discussed his ideal form of
  government
• i. roles based on talent
• --warriors
• --laborers
• --leaders
• ii. Education was important
• --people need to be taught to be good
• citizens

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• iii. Need to balance between mob rule
  tyranny
• --didnt like democracy or autocracy
• --So what is the solution?
• iv. Wisdom Power philosopher king
• --Who would be the ideal philosopher king?
• v. Careful Division of Labor
• --one cannot occupy two roles at
• one time
• --all leaders live communally and
• receive no pay own no property
• --Philosopher Kings reward is a happy people

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• 3. Aristotle (384 B.C.-323 B.C.)
• a. Humans are stateless beasts without
• government
• --ability to reason leads them to
• create govt. reach full potential
• --ability to reason form govt.
• is what separates us from animals
• b. favored democracy over monarchy and
  aristocracy but thought it was unrealistic
• --ideally properly educated middle class
  should rule
• c. Settled on Kings taking advice on ruling from
  philosophers
• --philosophers offer honest advice because
  they gain no wealth from their position

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III. Rome Developed New Political Ideas

• A. Romans established a republic
• by overthrowing
• their kings (509 B.C.)
• 1. Republic
• B. Romes Social Organization
• 1. Family important
• a. Eldest male pater familias
• b. Woman ran the household
• -could own property

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• 2. Society Divided into classes
• a. patrician
• -dominated Roman politics
• b. plebeians
• -common farmers, artisans,
• and merchants
• - free citizens
• Birth alone determined
  
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  Romans social and
• political status

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• 3. Military Service
• C. Written Law
• 1. 12 Tables (451 B.C)
• D. Rome Achieved a Balanced Govt
• 1. Two Consuls
• a. power limited by term and veto

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• 2. Senate
• -600 members for life
• -controlled finances and foreign affairs
• 3. 2 Assemblies
• 4. Dictator
• - in time of crisis a leader could be chosen
• - lasted 6 months
• E. Wars and Civil Unrest ? Collapse of Republic ?
  Emperor ? Roman Empire