Brief Explanation of non-Christian views of man
Some Examples of Ancient Greek Philosophers
To better appreciate the biblical view of man, it will help to examine some non-Christian views. We will begin with some of the ancient Greek philosophers. The true living God is not recognized in their schemes.
a. Protagoras (5th century B.C.)
This early Greek philosopher is known for his saying, "Man is the measure of all things." He was not sure whether the gods existed, and he believed that truth was subjective and relative. Man is the judge of truth; each person decides for himself.
b. Plato (429-347 B.C.)
According to Plato, man has both a body and a soul, but his soul is his true self, the most important part of man. The soul, which existed before inhabiting the body, consists of three parts: the logical, the spirited, and the appetitive.
c. Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)
Aristotle believed that the body and soul are inseparable, and that it is his reason that separates him from other animals. Man is also a "political animal," in that he is a social creature.
QUESTION:
Match each philosopher with his key thought regarding man:
Reason is what makes man special.
Man has a body and a soul, but the soul is the true self.
"Man is the measure of all things."
