Ancient philosophy arose as a result of characteristic changes in the worldview of the Greeks.
At its core, what is philosophy? Most likely, this is the view of an entire generation on the world and on history through the prism of the views of one scientist. Ancient philosophy gave the world great scientists: Herodotus, Aristotle, Heraclitus. All these people inscribed their names in world history and in world philosophy.
The general characteristic of ancient philosophy is impossible without considering the reasons for its appearance. How did the Greeks not like the ancient, mythological philosophy, which survived many changes?
Firstly, mythological philosophy was no longer relevant. Greece was developing faster. She became the center of the world economy and politics. The Greeks themselves explored the Mediterranean Sea, realized that many peoples live in the world with their own history and culture.
Secondly, the Greeks increasingly encountered other nations, which had a completely different approach to philosophy and history, completely unrelated to myths and gods. The Greeks gradually began to realize that they were surrounded by a world completely absorbed in progress. Only they still continue to believe in the existence of the Olympic Gods.
Of course, this process was gradual. Perhaps it is the graduation that determines the fact that the change of philosophical worldviews was almost painless.
The Greeks actively developed in terms of political and economic. They needed a new philosophy, which soon appeared.
The general characteristic of ancient philosophy includes consideration of the causes of its occurrence, problems, and stages of development.
What are the stages of medieval philosophy?
To begin with, it is worth noting that this philosophy covers the period from the twelfth century BC. according to the sixth century AD In total, 4 periods can be distinguished in the history of the philosophy of antiquity.
1) Predantic philosophy. This stage has already been discussed in this article. In addition to Greece, philosophy at this stage is also developing in Italy and Asia Minor. Philosophers most often think about the features of the space device and the problems of being. It is at this stage that the basic principles of the future ancient worldview are developed.
2) The classic period. This period covers the fifth century BC. and the beginning of the fourth century BC e. This is the heyday of ancient philosophy. First of all, science and philosophical views on it are developing. Science is gradually becoming the main subject of study of ancient philosophers. This is the time of Aristotle and Plato. The center for the development of philosophy at this stage is definitely Greece.
3) Hellenistic period. This period covers 4-1 century BC. Philosophy is becoming more practical. The skeptical method of assessing philosophy and the world around it is widely disseminated. Stoics, pragmatists, skeptics appear. This is the time when even the most elementary philosophical positions were subjected to skeptical analysis. Greece remains the center, however, gradually it is losing its leading position in the development of philosophy.
4) The fourth stage is characterized by a complete change in the center of development of philosophical thought. Now Rome becomes the center. This period lasts from the 1st century BC to the 6th century AD, inclusive. The Romans have long shone with the originality of their philosophical thought. The originality of Roman philosophy was based on heroic prowess and an ever-increasing application of a pragmatic approach.
The general characteristic of ancient philosophy is difficult to understand and comprehend. This is due to the problems of understanding and comprehending this philosophy. The main problems of ancient philosophy are associated with the originality of this historical period, as well as with the long stage of its development. Often, historians and researchers of philosophical thought come across dozens of opinions of different philosophers about the same phenomenon. This is due to the ambiguity of ancient philosophy.
The general characteristic of ancient philosophy is also difficult due to insufficient knowledge. Poor knowledge is associated with the lack of documentary information about a certain period of development of philosophy.
Ancient philosophy must be studied for many years. Perhaps only then will ancient philosophy be able to open all its secrets to the modern scholar.
