Philosophy 101

Parmenides had an incredible impact on Plato and all of Western philosophy. His work led the school of Elea to become the first movement to use pure reason as the only criterion for finding truth.

The Pythagorean School
Philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras (570–497 b.c.), perhaps most famous for the Pythagorean theorem named after him, believed that the basis of all reality was mathematical relations and that mathematics governed everything. To Pythagoras, numbers were sacred, and with the use of mathematics, everything could be measured and predicted. The impact and image of Pythagoras was astounding. His school was cult-like, with followers listening to his every word … and even his strange rules, which covered anything from what and what not to eat, how to dress, and even how to urinate. Pythagoras philosophized on many areas, and his students believed that his teachings were the prophecies of the gods.

Xenophanes of Colophon
Xenophanes (570–475 b.c.) is known for his critique of religion and mythology. In particular, he attacked the notion that the gods were anthropomorphic (or took a human form). Xenophanes believed there was one god that, while it did not physically move, had the ability to hear, see, and think, and controlled the world with his thoughts.

measured and predicted.

The word philosophy means “love of wisdom.”

Parmenides had an incredible impact on Plato and all of Western philosophy.

xperience is organized in our mind based on certain categories.

we can’t find causation in nature. Rather, causation is a feature in our minds, so we always perceive it. We can’t not find causation.

a posteriori proposition: This is when the justification of a proposition relies on experience.

a priori proposition: This is when the justification of a proposition does not rely on any experience