Tag: natural philosophy

Raphael’s Aristotle from The School of Athens, fresco, 1510-1511, Apostolic Palace, Vatican

2,729 words

Part 2 of 2, Part 1 here

Aristotle’s Defense of the Theoretical Life

Some people study mathematics, astronomy, etc. as ends in themselves, purely out of wonder or curiosity. One cannot defend such theoretical work by pointing out that it may still be useful for other aims, even if only by accident. This is to defend theory by claiming that it is really practical. To be a means to an end—even a remote, indirect, and accidental means to an end—is to be practical. This sort of defense still implies that one cannot justify theoretical pursuits that never lead, even accidentally, to practical applications. Thus, one can only justify theory as pure theory: the pursuit of knowledge (1) as an end in itself, and (2) regardless of practical consequences. To defend theory, one must defend it as “useless.” (more…)

Aristotle, line engraving by P. Fidanza after Raphael Sanzio

3,077 words

Part 1 of 2

Plato and Aristotle are the twin peaks of Ancient Greek philosophy. Aristotle was Plato’s student. But in one way, Aristotle seems to backslide from Plato. Plato was interested in theoretical topics like mathematics and the philosophy of nature. But following Socrates, his conception of wisdom was primarily moral and practical. Aristotle, however, defends the superiority of the purely contemplative life over the practical life. This seems to be a return to pre-Socratic, theory-centered philosophy.

The earliest Greek philosophers were primarily interested in nature and were unconcerned with practical matters. This is nicely encapsulated by the story about Thales, the very first Greek philosopher, who was so fascinated with the heavens that he did not notice a well at his feet and thus fell into it. (more…)

You can pre-order Greg Johnson’s The Trial of Socrates here.

4,731 words

Part 2 of 2 (Part 1 here)

The following is an excerpt from Greg Johnson’s forthcoming book, The Trial of Socrates, which is available for pre-order at a $5 discount from now until its release on June 30. See here for details.

Socrates’s Flight to the Logoi

Socrates literally calls his second-best method his “second sailing,” which is an allusion to a comment made earlier by Simmias: (more…)

You can pre-order Greg Johnson’s The Trial of Socrates here.

4,171 words

Part 1 of 2 (Part 2 here)

The following is an excerpt from Greg Johnson’s forthcoming book, The Trial of Socrates, which is available for pre-order at a $5 discount from now until its release on June 30. See here for details.

Plato’s Phaedo depicts the final conversations and death of Socrates. The Phaedo takes place the day after the Crito. While Crito was trying to convince Socrates to escape, other friends of Socrates were waiting outside the prison to spirit him away. Among them were two Pythagoreans from Thebes, Simmias and Cebes, who had brought the money to bribe the guards. (more…)

Aristophanes

6,912 words

Part 2 of 2 (Part 1 here)

Strepsiades Flunks Out

It hasn’t gone well. First Socrates bursts out of the Thinkery swearing an oath: “By Respiration, by Chaos, by the Air.” The usual places of gods in his oath are occupied by three natural forces. Socrates then rants about a particularly bad student who is “rustic . . . resourceless . . . dull . . . and forgetful.” Then he calls this student to come out. And out comes Strepsiades.

Socrates then quizzes Strepsiades on what he has learned. (more…)