Lecture Notes: Classical Philosophers (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the notes on Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, including their theories of the self, soul, forms, and the body-soul relationship.

Socrates

First Martyr of Education, Knowledge and Philosophy; charged with corrupting the minds of the youth; chose death by hemlock.

Socratic Method

Dialogue between the soul and itself; teacher and student ask and answer to stimulate critical thinking and reveal assumptions.

Know Thyself

Central Socratic idea: self-knowledge and examining one’s life as a path to wisdom.

Dualism

Belief that humans consist of two realms or substances: body and soul.

Body

The impermanent, physical part of the self in dualistic thought.

Soul

The enduring essence of the self; in Socratic/Platonic thought, often seen as immortal.

Physical Realm

The changeable, sensory world we experience; seen as an imperfect reflection of ultimate reality.

World of Forms (Ideal Realm)

Unchanging, eternal realm of truth, goodness, and beauty; source of virtue.

World of Phenomena

The changing, physical world as it appears to the senses.

Immortal Soul

Belief that the soul lives on after bodily death.

Death

Departure of the soul to the eternal world; not the end of existence in Socratic/Platonic thought.

Academy

Plato’s school; an early precursor to universities.

Plato

Student of Socrates; founder of the Academy; emphasized the soul, forms, and rational governance.

Rational

Part of the tripartite soul that seeks truth and makes reasoned judgments.

Spirited

Emotional part of the soul; drives action through passions like anger and ambition.

Appetitive

Desiring part of the soul; governs bodily desires such as hunger and wealth.

Tripartite Soul

Plato’s model of the soul with Rational, Spirited, and Appetitive parts.

Reason

Rational part of the soul; seeks truth and wise choices.

Spirit (Emotions)

Spirited/emotional aspect that fuels actions and resolves conflicts.

Physical Appetite

Desires for bodily needs (hunger, sex, wealth).

Hylo-morphism

Doctrine that form and matter are inseparably interdependent.

Vegetative Soul

Aristotle’s lowest soul: growth and reproduction; possessed by plants.

Sentient (Sensitive) Soul

Aristotle’s middle soul: sensation and feelings; possessed by animals.

Rational Soul

Aristotle’s highest soul: intellect and reason; distinctive of humans.

Psyche

Greek word for soul; central to concepts of self and consciousness.

Heart vs Brain

Aristotle locates the heart as the seat of emotion; Plato locates the brain as the seat of reason.

Virtue

Moral excellence; leads to happiness when guided by reason.

Happiness (Eudaimonia)

Flourishing achieved through virtuous living and the governance of reason.

Unexamined Life

Socrates’ claim that a life without self-examination is not worth living.

Care for the Soul

The priority of nurturing the inner self and moral character.

Knowledge is Virtue

Idea that true knowledge guides virtuous action.

Ignorance and Evil

Evil is seen as the result of ignorance rather than deliberate malice.

Self-Realization

Fulfillment of the threefold nature (vegetative, sentient, rational) or overall human flourishing.