Philosophy and Ethics in Ancient Greece

Flashcards covering key concepts in ancient philosophy, focusing on the differences between Sophists and Socratic thought, ethics, and the nature of cults.

What did philosophers prior to the Sophists primarily focus on?

Cosmology and the study of the natural world.

What was the main shift in the focus of philosophy brought by the Sophists?

They focused on human life, civilization, and ethics.

What negative connotation is often associated with modern cults?

They are viewed as fringe or dangerous religious groups characterized by extreme devotion and social isolation.

What did the term 'cult' mean in 5th-century BC Greece?

Formalized religious practices and rituals dedicated to a deity.

How were cults viewed in Ancient Greece compared to modern times?

Cults were integrated into civic life and mainstream, whereas modern cults are seen as deviant and secretive.

What is the Greek term for 'virtue' or 'excellence'?

Areté.

What was the role of the Sophists in Ancient Greece?

They were traveling teachers of rhetoric and persuasion, offering skills to improve social status.

What does rhetoric refer to in the context of the Sophists?

The principles and practice of persuasive speaking.

Define agnosticism as advocated by the Sophists.

The view that ultimate reality, such as God, is unknown and unknowable.

What is the difference between physis and nomos?

Physis refers to nature and inherent characteristics, while nomos refers to customs or conventions established by human agreement.

Who was Protagoras and what was his philosophical stance?

A prominent Sophist who believed that truth and moral judgments are subjective and relative.

What characterizes Socratic dialectic?

A method of questioning that seeks to improve understanding and get closer to the truth.

What does it mean for Socrates to be anti-dogmatic?

He encouraged openness and the willingness to revise one's opinions based on good reasons.

What is the main ethical focus in Socratic philosophy?

Ethics is based on objective moral truths.

How does Socratic ethics differ from Sophistic ethics?

Socratic ethics is based on objective truths, while Sophistic ethics are relative to social norms.

Summarize Socrates' view on the examined life.

The unexamined life is not worth living; morality and knowledge must be explored through questioning.