Plato: The Classical View of Philosophy-the search for

wisdom
1. Wisdom requires thinking for oneself, rather than taking things on authority,
or because someone told you it was so. Philosophy begins when we think for
ourselves; yet the process of philosophy is also directed towards thinking for
ourselves as its ultimate goal. To think for ourselves in the fullest sense is to
know what we know.
2. Wisdom is achieved by philosophical thinking, not calculative thinking.
3. The Socratic Dialectic is the chief means proposed by Plato for thinking
philosophically. Philosophers ask questions not for the sake of asking, but to
ensure that we believe for the strongest rational reasons.
4. Philosophy or wisdom is not the normal or expected state of affairs for
human life or human communities. It is a difficult and challenging life--most
people will avoid it, seeking the easier, more comfortable way.
5. Philosophy is human liberation. The cave is more comfortable, maybe, but
not more desirable. Philosophy creates free (liberal) men and women.
Philosophy both shows us the true nature of the soul, and makes us able to
see the soul in its pure form. This is why knowledge of the soul comes last,
based on our knowledge of other, better known, things.
6. In philosophy, the intellectual life and the moral life are necessarily
combined; the life of moral goodness is necessary for the intellect to see
things are they are.
7. Philosophy is the human excellence, the good of human life. Intellectual
inquiry satisfies our deepest human desires.
8. Philosophy ensures our freedom and happiness in the afterlife.
9. Philosophy is a thoroughly communal enterprise itself. Philosophy works
dialectically; the philosopher needs others to provide new ideas, to criticize
and question old ideas, to provide a check against the foibles of human pride
and blindness, and to provide support from the temptations present in
philosophical thinkingeristic and misology.
10. Philosophy serves the communityit articulates the deepest values of the
community, and critically defends them. Even if we see no personal call to
philosophical thinking, we should at least see the good of having some
persons involved in deep intellectual thinking.
Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man
of value.
Albert Einstein

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A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a
fool.
William Shakespeare

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The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in
his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.
Bob Marley

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The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in
moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands
at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

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1. Each man judges well the things he knows.

ARIST. Nico. I.3. Aristotle
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/aristotleworks/a/121610-Aristotle-Quotes.htm
1. The man who fears the right things for the right motives in the right way at the right time and feels
confidence is brave.
ARIST. Nico. III.7.
IX. Offer not your right hand easily to anyone. This warns the disciple to keep his own
counsel and not offer wisdom and knowledge (his right hand) to such as are
incapable of appreciating them. The hand here represents Truth, which raises those
who have fallen because of ignorance; but as many of the unregenerate do not
desire wisdom they will cut off the hand that is extended in kindness to them. Time
alone can effect the redemption of the ignorant masses
Pythagoras
http://www.sacred-texts.com/eso/sta/sta15.htm
Socratic Method
The Socratic Method or elenchos is described in Plato's 'Socratic Dialogues'. The Socratic Method clarified the concepts of
Good and Justice. If you have any problem, break it down to a series of questions and you find your required answer in
those responses.
This philosphy earned him the crown of father of political and moral philosphy and a leader in mainstream Western
philosphy. The Socratic Method is so designed as to help examine one's own beliefs and evaluate their worth.
Philosophical Beliefs
Socrates was morally, intellectually and polically against the Athenians. When he was on trial for corrupting the mind of
young Athenians he explained that while they are concerned about their families and careers, they would better be
concerned about the 'welfare of their souls'. He also contested the Sophistic doctrine (virtue can be taught) and argued that
successful fathers do not necessarily produce successful sons and that moral excellence was more a matter of divine
bequest than parental upbringing.
Knowledge
Socrates believed that wisdom was parallel to one's ignorance. One's deeds were a result of this level of intelligence and
ignorance. He constantly connected the 'love of wisdom' with 'art of love'. It is debatable whether he believed that humans
could become wise, but he drew a clear line between wisdom and ignorance.
Virtue
Socrates believed that one must concentrate more on self development than on material things. He encouraged people to
develop friendships and love amongst themselves. Humans possess certain basic philosophical or intellectual virtues and
those virtues were the most valuable of all possessions. To act Good and to be truly Good from within is different and virtue
relates to the Goodness of the soul.
Politics
"Ideals belong in a world that only the wise man can understand". He had no particular beliefs on politics but did object to
democracy, but disliked its Athenian form. Basically, he objected to any government that did not run on the basis of his ideas
of perfect governance. Socrates refused to enter politics because he could not tell other people how to lead their lives when
he didn't know how to live his own. He thought he was a philosopher of truth, which he had not fully discovered. Towards the
end of his life, democracy was supplanted by the Thirty Tyrants for around one year, before being restored. For Socrates,
the Thirty Tyrants were no better and arguably worse rulers than the democracy they sought to replace.

http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/People/Socrates/