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Humanities Section => Philosophy & Rhetoric General Discussion => Topic started by: Contemporary Protestant on April 08, 2014, 06:18:52 PM

Title: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Contemporary Protestant on April 08, 2014, 06:18:52 PM
Personally I like Aristotle, I also like cynicism 

What about you?
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Shiranu on April 09, 2014, 06:31:49 AM
I am quite fond of stoicism... Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca (the last two aren't Greek,  but contRibuted greatly to the philosophy)... all great imo.

Also a big fan of ethical hedonism, would say it would be my ideal life style.  Unfortunately I wasn't born into a culture that allows it and have years of brainwashing keeping me from allowing myself to practice it.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Contemporary Protestant on April 09, 2014, 07:43:55 AM
Familiar with stoicism and ethical hedonism, not the others, I will look them up
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: DunkleSeele on April 09, 2014, 09:18:35 AM
None. Philosophers are a bunch of tossers.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Youssuf Ramadan on April 09, 2014, 09:19:57 AM
I read about Aristotle a couple of years back.  A seriously interesting dude.....  :smile:
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: PJS on April 09, 2014, 06:54:06 PM
Quote from: Shiranu on April 09, 2014, 06:31:49 AM
I am quite fond of stoicism... Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca (the last two aren't Greek,  but contRibuted greatly to the philosophy)... all great imo.

These are my three favorites as well. Philosophos sparked my interest in Stoicism and Neo Stoicism back when he was posting.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Contemporary Protestant on April 09, 2014, 07:10:13 PM
Why do you guys like stoicism? I like Aristotle because of his descriptions of morality, that any individual who is benevolent in thought and action is a good person, and people who are malicious in thought and action are bad. I read that in a book discussing elements in comedy shows like the Simpsons.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: PJS on April 09, 2014, 07:32:44 PM
Quote from: Contemporary Protestant on April 09, 2014, 07:10:13 PM
Why do you guys like stoicism? I like Aristotle because of his descriptions of morality, that any individual who is benevolent in thought and action is a good person, and people who are malicious in thought and action are bad. I read that in a book discussing elements in comedy shows like the Simpsons.

The Stoics gave much practical advice for achieving a measure of tranquility in this difficult world. Contrary to popular opinion, they were not opposed to experiencing positive emotions, but wrote much about methods of avoiding strong negative ones. The recognition of much beyond our control, the aim of tranquility, and the gratitude that can manifest are all attractive qulaities of Stoicism. William B. Irvine is the modern Stoic who I would recommend as an author.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Contemporary Protestant on April 09, 2014, 07:43:18 PM
Thanks, Im going to revisit Stoics because I thought they believed in no emotions at all, thanks for clarifying
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Brian37 on April 09, 2014, 08:05:25 PM
Plato was my favorite until I read Dawkins preface to "The Greatest Show On Earth". Plato had a very simplistic view of the idea of "questioning". He stupidly thought if you simply thought about something long enough you could find it's "essence". Plato had no clue back then how important control groups and peer review were. Dawkins places blame on Plato for all the bad thought humanity picked up on afterwards. Lead to a lot of utopian political and religious thinking.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Contemporary Protestant on April 09, 2014, 08:13:03 PM
Well I think Plato could be used to understand one's own feelings or thoughts, but I agree not talking to people who disagree with you, produces no results

In Church its called Sectarianism, when someone hides from the secular world, and its discouraged
(not interested in debate, thats just an example from my life experience)
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: benno on May 09, 2014, 06:37:02 AM
You might like to get into these old Greek dudes if you want to talk about any modern philosophies... or pretend to think much...
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: johnson on May 09, 2014, 06:40:32 AM
Aristotle and Epicurus are the best.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Contemporary Protestant on May 09, 2014, 07:27:45 AM
What do you mean Benno? "pretend to think", someone might take that offensively, I'm not mad, I just don't know what your deal is
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: benno on May 09, 2014, 08:13:16 AM
No nothing personal at all... just that the greeks set the pattern for all philosophy. The rest is the same themes recycled.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Casparov on May 09, 2014, 09:18:04 PM
Socrates was the greatest hands down.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Shiranu on May 09, 2014, 10:24:40 PM
Quote from: Casparov on May 09, 2014, 09:18:04 PM
Socrates was the greatest hands down.

Spoken like someone who has not read the others :P.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Casparov on May 10, 2014, 01:56:31 AM
Quote from: Shiranu on May 09, 2014, 10:24:40 PM
Spoken like someone who has not read the others :P.

I'm not going to lie, I read almost exclusively modern philosophy, I haven't read nearly any ancient greek philosophy, but I am a huge fan of the Socratic Method and there is some timeless wisdom in the knowledge that "the only thing I know is that I know nothing" that I think transcends all other possible philosophies. I do not think, nor have I found, anything wiser that can be said.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: johnson on May 11, 2014, 09:07:43 AM
Quote from: Casparov on May 10, 2014, 01:56:31 AM
I'm not going to lie, I read almost exclusively modern philosophy, I haven't read nearly any ancient greek philosophy, but I am a huge fan of the Socratic Method and there is some timeless wisdom in the knowledge that "the only thing I know is that I know nothing" that I think transcends all other possible philosophies. I do not think, nor have I found, anything wiser that can be said.
You know nothing yet you talk a lot of bullshit.
Title: Re: Favorite Greek Philosophy or Philosopher
Post by: Jmpty on May 11, 2014, 06:59:16 PM
Quote from: benno on May 09, 2014, 08:13:16 AM
No nothing personal at all... just that the greeks set the pattern for all philosophy. The rest is the same themes recycled.
I think you meant to say all "western" philosophy.