Ancient philosophy

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/ancient-philosophy

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the foundational disciplines?Metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, political philosophy, aesthetics
2. Why did the Pre-Socratic philosophers look for natural explanations?They wanted to move beyond supernatural myths and understand the world by observing nature and using reason.
3. How did Socrates change philosophy?Socrates focused on people’s own lives and used the Socratic method, asking many questions to help people think about their own actions and values.

Logos: The principle of reason, logic, and order governing the universe, as opposed to mythos.
Theory of Forms: Plato's concept that the physical world is a mere shadow of a perfect, eternal realm of abstract ideas.
Virtue Ethics: An ethical theory, championed by Aristotle, focusing on character and moral virtues rather than rules or consequences.
Syllogism: A form of logical reasoning developed by Aristotle, consisting of a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.