Ancient Greek Philosophy

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2010

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Philosophy

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Dec 6, 2023

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Sebastian Barajas Professor Hernández Philosophy PHI-2010 27 September 2023 Ancient Greek Philosophy The Greek philosopher Anaximander (610 BCE - 546 BCE), who was the first to study cosmology, or the study of the world from a systematic philosophical perspective, was the father of cosmology. Anaximander believed Earth is flat, equidistant from other objects, and remains stationary due to its position. They also believed the Sun and Moon are hollow rings filled with fire, with their disks serving as vents for fire. Moon phases and eclipses result from these vents closing. “Anaximander held an evolutionary view of living things. The first creatures originated from the moist element by evaporation” (Anaximander Greek Philosopher para 4). I chose this Pre-Socratic philosopher because it is very interesting on the way how he thinks. I may not agree with what he thinks saying humans evolved from animals, I believe that isn’t true and that life started with Adam and Eve but I always would find it interesting on why they think that way. Going along with his ontological claims going with how he believes the origin of the human race can be traced back to other animals like fish, as they required extensive nurturing for survival.

Even though we know very little of Anaximander, he was a renowned Milesian explorer, founded Apollonia, introduced the gnomon to Greece, and erected one in Sparta. He was known for his travels, solemn manners, and pompous attire. His epistemological claims are also very interesting, hence another reason why I chose to write my essay on Anaximander. Supposedly he was the first philosopher to record his studies, was an early proponent of science, focusing on the origins of the universe and the importance of maintaining balance in nature. an early proponent of science, emphasized the importance of nature's balance and laws, arguing that disturbances to this balance can have long-lasting consequences. But for his philosophy, it was also influenced by his work in astronomy and physics, advanced Greek philosophy by introducing a new level of conceptual abstraction (Wikipedia Anaximander para 3). He revolutionized geography by creating a world map and was a key figure in Miletus' politics, serving as a leader in one of its colonies. Before I compare Anaximander with Plato and Aristotle I would to explain both ontological and epistemological views of both Plato and Aristotle then explain Anaximander alone so we can see if there any similarities or differences for both ontological/epistemological. According to a man named Blake Hestir who wrote about Plato with his ontological claims. “Blake Hestir's book admirably attends to the interaction between one of Plato's most important argumentative strategies and the substantive results of deploying that strategy” (Plato on the Metaphysical Foundation of Meaning and Truth para 1).

Plato's epistemology, a Greek philosophy, posits that knowledge of Platonic Ideas is innate, with learning occurring through deep-seated ideas in the soul, often guided by an interrogator, as seen in Socrates' dialogues (Wikipedia Platonic epistemology). For Aristotle ontological claims is that is “he argues that reality is not dependent on universal abstracts (Forms), but on particular substances of physical things. As such, Aristotle holds that we can ground our beliefs in the sensible world with some assurance” (Universals and Particulars: Aristotle’s Ontological Theory and Criticism of the Platonic Forms para 1). For his epistemological claims it is that it’s more appealing and plausible in that Aristotle epistemology through particulars is accessible by all people not just a few. His ontology offers a more pragmatic and plausible theory in that he grounds his epistemology, theory of knowledge, in the physical world (Universals and Particulars: Aristotle’s Ontological Theory and Criticism of the Platonic Forms page 4 para 1). Now if we were to compare them, we would also see what they think of one another, Plato sympathetically describes Anaximenes' theory of matter, focusing on seven states, rarefaction, condensation, and element birth/death. He sees Anaximenes as a philosopher of process, a precursor to Heraclitus and an approximation of his own. Aristotle argues that humans are unique due to their ability to use reason, explore the four causes of being, and access the truth. Anaximander argued that humans are unique due to their infirmity and defenselessness at birth, while animals are considered self-sufficient, autonomous, and complete.

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Work Cited Reszitnyk A. “Animals and Philosophers: From Anaximander and Aristotle to Heidegger and Derrida”. Department of English Brown University, Valencia College, 2012. https://reszita.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/animals-and-philosophy-from-anaximander-and- aristotle-to-heidegger-and-derrida/ Deutsche Biographe. “Anaximander”. Wikepdia, Valencia College, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaximander#:~:text=Anaximander%20was%20an %20early%20proponent,nature%20does%20not%20last%20long . Courpie, Dirk L. “Anaximander (c. 610-546 B.C.E)”. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Valencia College, 2022. https://iep.utm.edu/anaximander/#:~:text=Anaximander%20was%20the%20author %20of,was%20the%20first%20speculative%20astronomer . Evans, J. “Anaximander Greek Philosopher”. Britannica , Valencia College, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anaximander Hestir, Blake E. “Plato on the Metaphysical Foundation of Meaning and Truth”. Philosophical Reviews, Valencia College , 2017. https://ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/plato-on-the-metaphysical-foundations-of-meaning-and- truth/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20ontology%20of,least%20with%20other %20incompatible%20Forms ).

Vezina, B. “Universals and Particulars: Aristotle’s Ontological Theory and Criticism of the Platonic Forms”. Bridgewater State University, Valencia College, 2007. https://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1060&context=undergrad_rev#:~:text=Indeed %2C%20the%20cornerstone%20of%20Aristotle's,in%20the%20Metaphysics%20(1028b5 ). (n/a). “Platonic epistemology”. Wikipeida, Valencia College, (n/a). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platonic_epistemology#:~:text=This%20doctrine %20implies%20that%20nothing,stratified%20information%20in%20our%20mind .

Ancient Greek Philosophy

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