Democritus and Socrates

Biography: Democritus

• (c.460-370 B.C.)
• Known for his influence on modern science
• Laughing Philosopher
• Born in Abdera on the northern Aegean Coast
• Greatest philosopher of the pre-Socrates natural philosophy era

WHY IS LEGO THE MOST INGENIOUS TOY?

ATOM THEORY

atom theory

• Atom means un-cuttable
• Nothing actually changes
• Matter is built of invisible blocks that are eternal and immutable
• He called these blocks ATOMS

(...)

• Atoms cannot be divided indefinitely into smaller parts
• If so, nature would dissolve into a puddle
• Atoms come in different shapes and sizes to create matter
• When matter disintegrates or dies, atoms disperse and hook on to create new forms of matter

lego and the atom theory

• Represent the properties of atoms
• Lego are indivisible, solid and impermeable
• Come in a variety of shapes and sizes
• Can be taken apart and rebuilt to form new structures
• Lego demonstrates the basic principle of existence in regards to matter

materialism

• He did not believe in 'human souls' and how they could intervene in natural processes.
• The only things that exsisted were the void and atoms.
• He only believed in material things; he is known as a materialist.

FORCE AND SOUL

• We sense things due to the movement of atoms in space, which penetrate the eye when we look at something.
• Therefore he didnt believe in soul- we are comprised of atoms that can transfer to become different beings
• Therefore, no life after death.

socrates: BIOGRAPHY

• (470-399 B.C)
• Born in Athens
• Most puzzling figure in philospohical history

tHEORIES

• The Art of Discourse
• Sophist vs Philosopher
• A Joker in Athens
• The Right Insight
• A Divine Voice
• Mankind and Questions

The ART OF DISCOURSE

• Socrates disliked instructing people
• Discussed philosophy with people, asking questions to get them to see right and wrong- used false ignorance to coax people into using their own common sense
• (Socratic Irony)
• Wanted to assist / give to tools people to create unique ideas based on discussion
• Love to expose weakness in ones thinking

art of discourse

• This is similar to a midwife, they dont deliever the baby they just assist in its delivery
• The understanding that comes from within is the only true understanding we posess
• INNATE REASONING

A Divine voice

• Socrates believed he had a divine voice within him that forced him to challenge people - Socratic Irony
• People claimed he was corrupting the youth and the gods
• In court, he most likely had the opportunity for leniency but then he would not be Socrates

A Joker in athens

• Concerned with man and their place in society rather than with forces of nature
• Did not consider himself a sophist
• Philosopher- one who loves wisdom

think of it like a deck of cards...

• In two piles, there are red and black cards.
• Once in a while a Joker shows up and he's not a club, diamond, spade or heart.
• Socrates is this joker.

SOPHIST VS PHILOSOPHER

• Sophist- paid and opinionated
• Philospher- knows they dont know much
• 'One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing' - Socrates

natural modesty

• Natural vs. Socially Induced
• It is not "natural" or "innate" to be naked but "modesty" is a social convention that has been widely accepted
• Sophists- no absolute norms for deciding what is acceptable and unacceptable,
• Socrates argued that some norms are universally valid and absolute

the right insight leads to the right action

• Our judgement in choosing right over wrong leads us to do good
• Our actions should be based on reason to avoid ignorance and evil
• This is the only way to ensure a happy life
• "He who knows good will do good"
• Unlike sophists- ones ability to distinguish between right and wrong lies in one's reason and not within societal norms

the right insight leads to the right action

• Can you live a happy life if you do wrong? and continue to do wrong?
• Are these people truly happy?
• Socrates didnt think so.

mankind and questions

• Two possibilities:
• Fool ourselves and the world
• Look away from central issues and abandon progress
• Humanity is either certain or indifferent

The oracle story and conclusion

• Oracle said Socrates was the wisest man
• Socrates went to the wisest man
• The man could not give him an answer
• Necessary to establish a solid foundation for our knowledge
• Unshakable faith in human reason-rationalism

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