Fundamental Concepts in Ancient Greek Philosophy
Arche: The First Principle
Arche (or archai) is a concept in ancient Greek philosophy signifying the beginning of the world or the first principle of all things. It can also mean substance or matter—i.e., that which does not need anything else to exist, just the same.
The philosophers of Miletus agreed in regarding substances as derived from a single, natural principle. For Thales, this was water; for Anaximenes, air; and for Heraclitus, fire.
Physis: Nature and Essence
To the Greeks, the term physis
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The Enlightenment and the Great Awakening
John Locke and the Foundations of Knowledge
An important thinker was John Locke, who wrote the Essay Concerning Human Understanding. His philosophy challenged traditional views:
- It is incorrect to think that colors are innate in a creature; you are not born knowing colors, you actually learn colors. Therefore, knowledge is not innate.
- Knowledge comes from experience (from life, experiments, and science).
- We can change society for the better by pooling our experiences.
Philosophical Foundations of Morality and Action
Foundations of Ethics
Definition of Ethics:
- Ethics is the study of our own behavior to help us become better people.
- It is a branch of philosophy that focuses on understanding human actions from a moral point of view.
- The purpose of ethics is to reflect on what we should do to improve ourselves and society.
Why is Ethics Important?
- All actions have consequences—they can help or harm ourselves and others.
- By acting ethically, we become better persons and contribute to the common good.
Key Point: “Ethics
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Rationalist Conception of Humanity
The Rationalist View of Human Beings
For Greek thought, what distinguishes the human being is the word (logos) and reason. Only reason allows humanity to properly understand reality. Reason is therefore used to try to answer all the questions posed to humans.
They believed that language serves human beings to share their ideas with others.
As rational beings, humans are unique in the universe because they are not content merely to engage with and live reality as it
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Epicurean Philosophy: Achieving Tranquility
Epicurean philosophy has a twofold task: addressing misconceptions that foster fear and suffering, and cultivating a wise and supportive state of mind in all circumstances.
The Pursuit of Pleasure and Avoidance of Pain
The search for pleasure is innate; both children and animals naturally seek pleasure and shun pain. Pleasure and pain are considered the primary causes of actions in living beings. For Epicurus, pure pleasure (absence of pain in the body and
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The Controlled Community: Setting the Stage
The story takes place in an apparently perfect society where there is no war, pain, suffering, or differences between people. Everything is strictly controlled: the weather, emotions, memories, and even people’s life choices. At the age of 12, every child receives their “Assignment,” which is the job they will keep for the rest of their lives.
Jonas and His Assignment
The main character, Jonas, is chosen as the new Receiver of Memory. This position
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