Introduction to Philosophy: Definitions, Origins, and Pre-Socratic Thought

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on the basic definitions of philosophy, philosophical perspectives of Plato, Aristotle, and Epicurus, the socio-historical birth of philosophy in Greek colonies, and Pre-Socratic geographical branches.

Philosophy (Etymology)

Derived from the Greek words Philos (lover) and sophia (wisdom), literally meaning 'love for wisdom'.

Philosophy (Formal Definition)

A discipline that rationally and critically studies fundamental questions of existence, knowledge, truth, morality, and reality.

Plato's View of the Philosopher

A seeker of knowledge who stands intermediate between the wise and the ignorant; neither the wise (who know everything) nor the ignorant (who believe they already know) philosophize.

Eros (in Plato's Symposium)

The god of love who personifies the philosopher because he is intermediate between wise and ignorant, and is a lover of the beautiful, the good, and wisdom.

Wonder (Aristotle's View)

The intellectual curiosity and sense of doubt (meraviglia) that drives human beings to recognize their ignorance and begin philosophizing.

Purpose of Philosophy (Epicurus's View)

A practical tool aimed at achieving inner serenity, peace, and happiness (felicità) at every age of life.

Isonomia

Equality of legislative treatment and having the same laws for all citizens, which was established in ancient Greek colonies.

Arete

Virtue or foundational ethical values, which civic education in ancient Greek society aimed to instil.

Anthropomorphic Religion

A flexible, non-hierarchical religious system of the ancient Greeks that allowed open-mindedness and the adoption of deities from other cultures.

Myth (vs. Philosophy)

A form of narrative based on priestly authority, dogmas, and traditional tales rather than logical argumentation.

Philosophy (Object, Method, and Aim)

Object: the 'why' of things; Method: rational inquiry; Aim: building a comprehensive vision of the world.

Science of Origins (Object, Method, and Aim)

Object: the 'how' of things; Method: mythological explanations; Aim: solving practical problems.

Ionic School

The early group of Pre-Socratic philosophers located in Ionia who addressed common fundamental questions through distinct rational explanations.

Mileto Philosophers

Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes, who originated from the city of Mileto in Ionia.

Eleatic Philosophers

Parmenides and Zeno, who operated in Elea in Magna Graecia.