Lesson Outline – Phase II writers



1b: Knowing and Believing

Lesson 1 of 5: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle

Aim of the lesson

For the students to have:

• Knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle

• Knowledge and understanding of the nature and role of Faith and Reason.

• Opportunity to evaluate the ideas outlined.

Differentiation / Extension

Extension: students could go into further research into Aristotle and try to give illustrations of ways in which his ideas are foundational to approaches to truth in the Western world.

Lower Ability: Student Resource Sheets 1[LA] Socrates, 2[LA] Plato and 3 [LA] Aristotle

Assessment

Teacher: informal as groups carrying out task.

Teacher/peer: presentation of philosophers.

Duration 1 Hour

Timings

Starter 10 minutes – activity on different kinds of knowledge.

Main activity 30 minutes – group research into, and presentation of, philosophers.

Plenary 20 minutes – group presentation and summary

Intended Age 16-18

Previous Knowledge needed by teacher: The teacher should have read through the overview and Student Resources 1 [Socrates], 2 [Plato] and 3 [Aristotle]

Previous Knowledge needed by students: None

Background Reading

• Raeper and Smith, A Beginner’s Guide to Ideas, , Lion Publisher.

• L. Ahluwahlia, Foundation Study to Religious Studies, Hodder.

• A Jordan et al.; Philosophy of Religion for A level, Stanley Thornes

• Stephen Law, The Philosophy Files, Dolphin.

• Irwin, Conard, Skoble, The Simpsons and Philosophy, Open Court.

• J Tyerman Williams, Pooh and the Philosophers; Methuen Publisher.

• Philosophy goes to the Movies; Ch. Falzon; Routledge discusses the following relevant films:

• The Conformist (Bernado Bertolucci, 1970)

• Cinema Paradiso (Giuseppe Tornatore, 1989)

• A Cockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick, 1971)

• Socrates (Roberto Rossellini, 1970)

Websites

• wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/SOCRATES.HTM

• wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/PLATO.HTM

wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/ARIST.HTM

Resources

• Student Resource Sheet 1 Socrates

• Student Resource Sheet 1[LA] Socrates

• Student Resource Sheet 2 Plato

• Student Resource Sheet 2[LA] Plato

• Student Resource Sheet 3 Aristotle

• Student Resource Sheet 3[LA] Aristotle

Introduction / Starter activity

In pairs, give the students 2 minutes to compose as many sentences as possible with the words ‘I know’ in them (this could be competitive to add to the fun; if they are finding it too easy, make it a shorter time). Share some of these with the class. Listen out for any that are given which illustrate different kinds of knowing e.g ‘I know my boy friend loves me’ I know 2 add 2 makes 4’. Question the class as to what is different in these two kinds of knowing. Then extend the activity by asking them to sort their sentences into different kinds of knowing. Explain that this lesson is about people who have different ideas as to how we can know things. Give one or two thinking points, e.g.

• Is belief a kind of knowing?

• Is belief as certain as knowing?

• What is the difference between believing and knowing?

Main Activities

1) Divide the class into three groups according to the following questions. Ask them:

a) Who believes that knowledge has something to do with human intuition? (group ‘Socrates’)

b) Who believes that knowledge is based on reason (group ‘Plato’)

c) Who believes that knowledge is based on sense observation (group ‘Aristotle’)

2) The task is for each group to find out about their philosopher’s concept of knowledge and truth and the role of God/belief within those concepts using the provided resources (see resource list above). Each group should make brief notes about the philosopher’s ideas and then to give a brief presentation in front of the class.

Plenary

Plenary: 15 minutes (5 min. for each group)

Each group to present its philosopher to the rest of the class.

Next lesson we will focus on the two most common concepts of knowledge and belief.

1. Rationalism (reason is the only basis for knowing; Plato’s approach)

2. Empiricism (sense observation is the basis for knowing; Aristotle’s approach)

3. There are other approaches such as ‘Fideism’ (belief/revelation is the only basis for knowing).

For now we can conclude:

1. Socrates believed that conscience is the inner voice of God. It is the ultimate source of truth that we must seek to follow even at the cost of life.

2. Plato believed in two different worlds: the world of sense experience and the world of ideas. The latter one is the source of ultimate truth. The Form of the Good is the highest of all forms and is divine. Knowledge of the Form of the Good is knowing the true nature of all things and also of morality. Behaving immorally means not knowing properly.

3. Aristotle believed that this world is the only world and that sense observation is the source of true knowledge. Understanding the nature of things also means understanding the purpose of things. Good is something if it fulfils its purpose (e.g. a good tiger kills antelopes; a good human being uses reason and is educated). Moral absolutes are within the nature of things (innate values). God is the cause and final purpose of everything.

4. Further suggestions include watching and discussing relevant films listed below for which further lesson time is needed.

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