Perry 3.

2 Emancipation of Thought from Myth

#1: Why Thales “1st Philos” West Wrld?

sought how nature ---> way it is wo/gods
searching for 1st cause wo/gods
nature = sys good by laws intellect ascertain
---> investigation!! + criticism proposed theories

#3: Sig Pythag view nature contains inherent math order

proposed basis sci of Newton and Einstein
nature can b studied, investigated scientifically - myth not needed

#4: Early Grk Phil = break w/myth/emerge rational sci thinking

key = investigation
Thales: idea of water as principle
Anaximander: aperion (indefinite, infinite)
1st creatures born in moisture...
fish 2 man!!
Pythagorus: math principles = principle of all things

==> all exhibit use of rational instead of myth, omission of gods or any
supernatural agncy in origin life

Perry 3.3 Expansion Reason

#1: Hippocrates disting btwn magic/medicine

magic = hindrance 2 understand disease
all disease = natural explnation
only because had no treatment, epilepsy declared “sacred” - 2 hide ignorance

#2: Thucydides methods 4 hist more accur. & credible

not pretend 2 present speeches word 4 word
not accept 1st version wo/checking
used only “plainest evidence”, not that of poets, braggarts
purpose not 2 meet public taste
explicitly rej divine explanations, search for natural causes
hist (unlike poetry) creation rational mind

#3: What revol re: Critias’ approach 2 religion

typical sophist secular curriculum
not a fact - but invented “wise & clever” man
fear of divine retribution as form of enforcing justice (4 “secret crime”)

Perry Readings: Ancient Times 1

 Perry 3.5 Humanism

#1: Human virtues extolled by Grks

hard work persistence mind 4 law resourcefulness
ingeniousness being just
develop physical, intellectual, moral capacites 2 fullest

#2: Sense Pindar consider life 2b tragic

everyone strives for excellence, hopes are built...yet triumph short-lived,
misfortunes many, untimely death takes all

Perry 3.10 Socrates: Rational Individual

#3: Socrates: true job of philosopher - price paid

show man his ignorance
push him to examine his life
“will you not spend thought or care on wisdom & truth and the perfecting of
your soul?”
2b a “gadfly”
perfect souls b4 caring for bodies or wealth
reproach men “4 setting the least value on the most imp things”
remind men that every good comes from virtue (not vice versa)
discuss human excellence every day
* “An unexamined life is not worth living.”

#5: Why Socrates accused of corruption young?

teaches them to question... discovering much ignorance...engendering anger
with Socrates instead of with themselves for being ignorant
“he teaches ppl to disbelieve gods & to make the worst appear the better
reason”

#6: Socrates reaction 2 offer of acquittal on cond give up philos - reasons

a) forget it
b) never choose what he knows 2b evil (no philos)
will obey the God rather than Athenians
must exhort ppl 2 set 4th truth
* the unexamined life is not worth living
simply cannot stop being who he is
would rather defend self by speaking truth, and die

Perry Readings: Ancient Times 2

 Perry 3.11 Philosopher King

#1: Plato: Character traits for philos to have/avoid

have avoid
wisdom love of money
rationality pettiness
virtue life of no matter
passion 4 knowledge mean
love of truth cowardly
no fear of death
honesty
gentle
sociable
good memory
measure & grace
temperance

#2: Allegory of Cave: real/illusion

real for the prisoners: shadows on the wall, voices echoing off wall
illusion: free to look at actual objects would consider them not so real

#3: Why philos = best rulers

above base desires
have perceived the essential form of goodness

#4: Plato’s arguments vs. democracy

every man arranges his own manner of life to suit his purposes
not obliged 2 lead, not obliged 2 follow
no direction except preservation of liberty
rulers behave like subjects & subj like rulers
citizens --> so sensitive that resent exertion of auth/control
ther4 resolve to have no master...disregardng even the law

Perry Readings: Ancient Times 3