In other words, what we thought of as real and true were basically the products of our own thoughts and actions--our communication. ... He was, however, very similar in thought to the Sophists. ... I think this means that as long as a person can accept more than one answer to a question they are considered wise only if they can take their opinions and can change them based on truths not fiction. I also think this means to not be open minded. ... Heraclitus believes that the world is constantly changing. ...

• Word Count: 3636
• Approx Pages: 15
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

According to Socrates, such a definition would be unacceptable because it is a mere list and because the craft of shoemaking can be defined as "knowing how to make shoes." ... Pursuing the perfect definition, however fruitless, still makes one think and organize their thoughts. ... Everything we know of Socrates comes from Plato's dialogues, which makes it difficult to separate their thoughts enough to find any arguable differences. We can, however, explore how Plato expanded upon his mentors" beliefs. ... Plato used mathematics to explain that we base geometry around perfect angles,...

• Word Count: 3385
• Approx Pages: 14
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Platonic thought has shaped much of the western world. ... This is an illustration of how the soul uses the bodies (Phaedo, p. 37-38). ... Plato thought that we were created in parts- part of us being truth and the rest being nothing. ... In a twinkling of an eye we will be changed. None of us know for sure what we will be changed to, but we can have the confidence that God has prepared a better body for us. ...

• Word Count: 2720
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

We have to answer some basic questions when we study theory of literature. ... I think this was a productive and easy way to try and get readers to easily identify works as literary. ... Ancient Greek thought held that poetry, drama, and other forms of fine art were imitations of reality, a reality that could be actual or potential. Indeed, their phrase for what we think of as "fine art" was "imitative arts", and great importance was attached to poetry as an integral part of the Greek education. ... How is it being imitated, is the imitation a straight copy, a distortion o...

• Word Count: 5585
• Approx Pages: 22
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Socrates is known as one of the greatest philosophers of all time, but he never actually wrote any of his thoughts down on paper. Most of what we know about him comes from the writings of Plato, who was one of his students/followers. ... The origin of Socratic irony can be traced back to when the Oracle of Delphi told a friend of Socrates that no man was wiser than Socrates. ... Paula Gottlieb argued in her response to Vlastos' article that she did not really think Plato changed the meaning of irony; it was more a result of the fact that Plato had two different intended audiences. ... Thi...

• Word Count: 2531
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Numerous philosophers have advocated that the future of the human race does not lie in outside of mankind's grasp in the hands of some obscure deity, but in the willingness of people to change their behavior and be accountable for their inadequacies. ... Socrates believes such anxiety concerning what others will think is not only foolish, but inherently dangerous to the prosperity of any nation-state, "We should not then think so much of what the majority will say about us, but what he will say who understands justice and injustice, the one, that is, and the truth itself. ... As Daniel ...

• Word Count: 2901
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

"7 However motion or change in one thing, is caused by motion or change in another thing that affects it. To end the series of causes we must perceive that motion or change must originate in an initial self-moved mover. Plato believed this mover to be the source of change in motion in all that has ever been. ... Copleston argued from Plato that also mere existence can be argued from a said cause, and the argument from contingence stems from this idea. ... 'The Forms could never be encountered in this world, since they are permanent and unchangeable concepts- justice, truth, beauty an...

• Word Count: 2979
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

He establishes the extent to which we are responsible for our own actions and how we should go about correcting a wrong. ... This proves that human knowledge and wisdom can serve as justice without the direct intervention of the gods. ... The Furies are depicted as careless deities that only want to uphold family values and have a difficult time adjusting to changes in society and piety. ... However, Euthyphro felt that "it [was] ridiculous for [Socrates] to think that it made any difference whether the victim is a stranger or a relative," (4c). ... In order to act justly, Euthyphro ...

• Word Count: 2577
• Approx Pages: 10
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Maybe it's a calendar, or a place to hold ceremonies or sacrifices, the truth is, we don't know for sure because we weren't there. ... It deals with a culture hero, (think Jesus) the first man and woman, a tree, and a snake or serpent of some kind. ... Literally all of his possessions, even carvings meant to act as servants, were placed in the tomb. ... It is interesting to see how art differs between cultures. ... Even his box of servants was made out of gold. ...

• Word Count: 2959
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

For example, Aspasia literally means, "the desired one," which was likely a name given to her or one she took when entering the courtesan profession.6 Despite the fact that we can never truly know who Aspasia was, there is good reason to believe she had been a powerful and influential woman because while all other woman remained silent and absent from written record, Aspasia made her mark in many historical works. ... In conclusion, the primary sources that do mention Aspasia are translated, man's interpretations of whom they think she was. ... There are several quotes and wri...

• Word Count: 2630
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography

For example, Aspasia literally means, "the desired one," which was likely a name given to her or one she took when entering the courtesan profession.6 Despite the fact that we can never truly know who Aspasia was, there is good reason to believe she had been a powerful and influential woman because while all other woman remained silent and absent from written record, Aspasia made her mark in many historical works. ... In conclusion, the primary sources that do mention Aspasia are translated, man's interpretations of whom they think she was. ... There are several quotes and wri...

• Word Count: 2630
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography

The particular element of each beauty comes from the emotions, and as we each have our own particular emotions, so we have our beauty. ... I have chosen Plato, Nietzsche and Ruskin to illustrate how I understand aesthetics. ... My view of what Plato is saying is that he is emphasizing that beauty can be seen in all things and that beauty is universal and the same. ... When we talk about Romanticism the Movement, we aren't using the root word "romance" in the sense of hearts and flowers or infatuation. Instead, we use "romance" in the sense of glorification. ...

• Word Count: 2825
• Approx Pages: 11
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Sophism has changed religion and caused a great deal of confusion for those that strongly believed in the gods, omens and oracles. ... They gave many speeches and at times people didn't even know what they were talking about, they would just applaud. ... He taught him how to cross-examine someone by using the question and answer method. ... Alcibiades used his teachings to prove that he was strong and that he was an independent thinker. ... He won wars for them and even though they did not always agree with the things he said, they still supported him. ...

• Word Count: 2737
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School