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INTRODUCTION TO GREEK PHILOSOPHY

Why the Greeks??? What was unique about the Greek

cultural, social, historical and political situation that created an atmosphere so conductive to philosophy?

Why was philosophy so unique to Athens in particular over other Greek city-states such as Sparta?

Why the Greeks??? The Greek city-

states such as Athens and Miletus, unlike Egypt and Babylon, were wealthy from other factors than merely agriculture

The Importance of TRADE

This other source of wealth was TRADE

The major exports of Athens were olive oil and wine; both were non-perishable and were in great demand for many uses

Implications of a Trading Culture

What were the implications of a trading culture?

The trading culture of Athens fostered independence amongst citizens, being away from all authority at home

It was a culture that dealt with many peoples, cultures, practices and ideas

The Democratic Tradition of Athens

Democracy in Athens The institution of kings in many Greek

city-states was gone In Athens, the office of “ruler” pushed

aside the authority of the king The office at first was filled with the

nobility, but later turned to elected nobles with a one-year term

In essence, Athens enjoyed a period of pure DEMOCRACY

ATHENS vs. SPARTA

If a COMMERCIAL DEMOCRACY was the type of environment which fostered philosophic thought, then it stands to reason that philosophy would not occur in another Greek city-state that was neither commercial nor democratic

SPARTA Sparta had little

philosophic thought It was a military

oligarchy where the average citizen had little/no political power

The business of Sparta’s citizens was war!

The Spartans had the best army in Greece

School of Athens