Greek Philosophy: Epistemology and Metaphysics

Epistemology and the basic philosophy of empiricism are the topics of dicsussion. I will explain where Greek philosophy began and who the main contributors were to ancient philosophy and what their contributions were. I will give a brief overview of such philosophers as Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Pythagoras,and how their philosophies helped shape successive students of philosophy such as the Sophist, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.

"If we did not perceive anything we would not learn or understand anything."~Aristotle~

Where Greek philosophy began:

"Greek Philosophy originated early in the sixth century BC in the prosperous and progressive Ionian city-state of Miletus." (Luce, J.V., 1992, pp.9). Ionia was once an ancient times mecca because of the prime location amidst a mountainous range and fertile valleys rich with orchards and olive groves which were fed by and was practically surrounded by water. Because of the abundance of water, agricultural growth, and trading abilities with the surrounding cities and areas across the sea like Ephesus, Samos, and Egypt, Ionia thrived.

Ionia produced another source of income and prestige by way of philosophy. "Intellectual circles and scientific laws began to be formulated...laying the foundation of modern science." (www.turizim.net, 2007). There were three 'wise men' who are worthy of mention here: Thales, who has the title of the founder of philosophy or founder of natural philosophy and he believed that all things began with water, he held this belief because life is sustained by water, and like water, is ever changing and in perpetual movement.

Anaximander was another philosopher who lived in the area at the time of Thales, who is considered to have created theoretical physics. Anaximander believed differently from his counterpart Thales in that he did not attribute all being to water; instead he discounted the all encompassing viability of the four elements separately. His explanation of world process was in his theory of opposites. Meaning, there must be an opposite of something else for that something to be in existence like hot and cold, and up and down for instance. His most amazing theory was the earth hung in the air without moving, which he made with no real foundation or support.

Anaximenes was a student of Anaximander who according to Diogenes was "straightforward and plain" in his style of writing and speaking. (Luce, J.V., 1992, pp. 27). Anaximenes did not accept his predecessor's belief in the indefinites; instead he believed that air was the key to all being. He believed that air was transformed into water, fire, and earth and went on to explain that air shaped and sustained all things.

Finally, the most famous person in Pre-Socratic philosophy who was said to have been "The First Philosopher," was Pythagoras. Pythagoras was notably an Idealist and completely fascinated with numbers. In fact, Pythagoras believed all things were in accordance or harmony with numbers. From that point on philosophy took off and became one of the most important intellectual and scientific studies in the known world and has since evolved many times over into separate fields of study.

Sophists:

Sophists deserve mention here as well since their talent played a major role in nearly all successive philosopher's practices. Rhetoric and oratory were the important skills which the Sophists had mastered and would teach for a fee. Some Sophists were considered some of the "original thinkers." (www.wsu.edu, 1996). Despite their talent for debate some later philosophers like Aristotle had little respect for them, calling a Sophist "one who made money by sham wisdom" because Sophists were not real seekers of truth or knowledge, but someone who wanted to make money. (www.historyguide.org, 2000).

Socrates was familiar with the style and skills of Sophists and though he did not practice sophistry, his methods of teaching and speaking was similar to the aforementioned teachers. Socrates enjoyed debate and would engage anyone he came into contact with, particularly men from his own area, until he was satisfied that those men were thinking critically. Socrates was in search of "the essential nature of knowledge" and wanted to impart knowledge on his fellow citizens as well. (Moore, B.N. and Bruder, K., 2005, pp.35). Socrates desire and constant probing for knowledge was eventually the death of him. In light of his death, Socrates carried and passed on one particular trait, which was speaking while walking. Socrates particular method of debate is still used today and is called the Socratic Method.

Philosophy evolves:

Empiricism is the English word that has been broken down from the Greek word empeiria and the Latin word experiential meaning experience; hence, this particular field of philosophy or knowledge is derived from experience. This experience comes from learning through-out life through the five senses and observation.

Empiricism falls within the category of Epistemology which is the field of philosophy that explores "the nature and limits of human knowledge." (Webster's Dictionary, 1998, pp. 237). Empiricism asks questions like: What is reality? What is the source of knowledge? One of the first Empiricists was the Greek philosopher Diogenes. Unsurprising enough, Aristotle's epistemology is closer to the field epistemology that is practiced today.

Aristotle:

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle was born in 384 BC on a colony off the peninsula of Chalcidice. At the age of 18 Aristotle left home for Athens and within three years was a student of Plato at The Academy. Aristotle stayed in Athens at The Academy for 20 years and in that time became Plato's star pupil and friend though he rejected Plato's theory of forms. After Plato passed away Aristotle left Athens and eventually landed in Lesbos where he studied, zoology.

Eventually, Phillip II invited Aristotle to tutor his son Alexander (the Great) and during that time wrote manuals for the young prince, among other things he taught Alexander ethics, politics, and some say, "the most profound secrets of philosophy." (www.newadvent.org, 1907). Though the teacher and pupil did not seem to be friendly, Aristotle did benefit from once teaching Alexander the Great. Once a soldier, Alexander made books and other scientific paraphernalia such as, plant and animal specimens, available to Aristotle.

Eventually, Aristotle opened his own school called Lyceum. This school was similar to The Academy, but with one main difference... Lyceum was more of a research institute than a rhetoric or sophistic school. Aristotle's school had a courtyard in which he was said to have walked up and down while giving his lectures (and writings) on logic, physics like meteorology, psychology, biology, metaphysics, ethics, politics, and rhetoric and poetry. These works were eventually published and still prized today by fellow scientists, philosophers, teachers, and students.

One example of the writing by Aristotle is: Everything changes in time. That could be in two senses, one sense may be the change of primary time and the other may be the motion of time. Now this may difficult to understand but this was the way the man thought. Aristotle believed that in ethics one must always aim for the good in all things and all acts.

Though Aristotle studied and wrote about many subjects, his approach to his work was different from Plato's, in that he concentrated on one subject until he had exhausted the topic, then and only then did he allow himself to move on to another subject. His mind was of an empirical nature and "was a true successor to the early Ionians in his devotion to research and his concentration on particular objects in the external world." (Luce, J.V., 1992, pp. 130).

"In every product of nature there is something to arouse our wonder."~Aristotle~

In Conclusion:

In this article I have discussed epistemology and the basic philosophy of empiricism. I have explained where Greek philosophy began and who the main contributors were to ancient philosophy and what their contributions were. I have given an overview of such philosophers as Thales, Anaximander, Anaximenes, Pythagoras,and how their philosophies helped shape successive students of philosophy such as the Sophist, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Finally, I have given a small account of Aristotle, his beliefs, philosophy, and interests which were deeply grounded in empiricism.

References:

Ancient Districts of Asia Minor and Anatolia. (2007). Ionia. Retrieved April 11, 2007, from http://ancientanatolia.com/sites/ancient_districts.htm

Braham, C.G. (Ed.). (1998). Random House Webster's Dictionary (3^rd ed.). New York: Ballantine Books

Bruder, K. & Moore, B.N. (2005). Philosophy: The Power of Ideas. (6^th ed.). (pp. 35). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Greek Philosophy. (1996). Pre-Socratic Philosophy: The Sophists. Retrieved April 10, 2007, from http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/PRESOC.HTM

Ionia and the Ionian Thinkers. (2007). Ionia. Retrieved April 11, 2007, from http://turizm.net/cities/ionia/index.html

Luce, J.V. (1992). An Introduction to Greek Philosophy (pp. 9, 16, 27, 130). London, England: Thames and Hudson, Ltd.

The History Guide. (2000). Lectures on Ancient and Medieval European History. Lecture 8: Greek thought: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Retrieved April 10, 2007, from http://www.historyguide.org/ancient/lecture8b.html

Turner, W. (1907). Catholic Encyclopedia: Aristotle. (Vol. 1). Retrieved April 10, 2007, from http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/o1713a.htm