Ancient Greek Philosophy: Natural and Supernatural Causes in Early Greek Thought - Prof. R, Study notes of Introduction to Philosophy

Download Ancient Greek Philosophy: Natural and Supernatural Causes in Early Greek Thought - Prof. R and more Study notes Introduction to Philosophy in PDF only on Docsity! NATURE PHILOSOPHY: Natural Causes—“laws” internal to natural phenomena [Mythology: Super-Natural Causes—“laws” external to natural phenomena] Thales (c. 624-546): The One as “Water” --physiological and cultural dependence on water --water exists in all three states of matter * Empirical Observation…re. Concrete Material Thing * Internal, Eternal Source & Cause Anaximander (c. 610-546): The One as “The Boundless” ( --non-finite (infinite) in itself --non-determined (indeterminate) to us * Rational Argumentation…re. Abstract Ideal Force * Internal, Eternal Law & Necessity { Concept of “Being”} Xenophanes (c. 570-470): Only One God Theology  anthropomorphisms The Critical Task: Homer‟s gods are and culturally relative  immoral and unworthy of our worship The Constructive Task: there is One, Transcendent Being Epistemology 1. Truth/Knowledge does not occur through „revelation‟ 2. Truth/Knowledge is a result of the process of „seeking‟ 3. There is no absolute certainty or truth ...can‟t distinguish knowledge from opinion 4. Some opinions are better than others …approximations to truth 5. Knowledge/Truth is conditional (human) & provisional (hypothetical) 6. God alone knows the truth