Why Did Philosophy Originate in Greece?

In his book A History of Western Philosophy, Bertrand Russell writes: “In all history, nothing is so surprising or so difficult to account for as the sudden rise of civilization in Greece. Much of what makes civilization had already existed for thousands of years in Egypt and in Mesopotamia, and had spread thence to neighbouring countries. But certain elements had been lacking until the Greeks supplied them. What they achieved in art and literature is familiar to everybody, but what they did in the purely intellectual realm is even more exceptional. They invented mathematics and science and philosophy; they first wrote history as opposed to mere annals; they speculated freely about the nature of the world and the ends of life, without being bound in the fetters of any inherited orthodoxy.”

Why, then, is modern philosophy considered a product of Greek intellect? There are many answers to this question, and we will explore some of them.

At the same time as ancient Greece—or even earlier—philosophy also existed in India and China. In terms of intellectual achievements, these civilizations were by no means inferior. Yet, philosophy, as we understand it today, emerged in Greece.

What was the reason?

In ancient Greece, slavery was highly developed, providing the democratic Greeks with sufficient free time and financial resources to engage in philosophy.

Art became an integral part of the life of every free citizen. For example, the Theatre of Dionysus, built in the 5th century BCE, could accommodate up to 17,000 spectators. A century later, the Epidaurus Theatre had a capacity of 15,000. Over time, theaters became ideal venues for public assemblies. Music and sculpture flourished, and great importance was placed on physical development and education.

This emphasis on holistic development explains why it is not surprising that Plato was both an Olympic champion and a central figure in philosophy.

The primary goal of education is to create a healthy and wise individual. The saying “a sound mind in a sound body” originates from this principle.

But can wisdom be taught? To answer this, we must first understand what wisdom is. Wisdom is the ability to think, or more precisely, the ability to think correctly. The ability to think is a natural process, meaning it is formed by nature. Consequently, the process of thinking precedes the individual and cannot be acquired later. This ability can be directed, enhanced, diminished—in other words, manipulated—but it cannot be created.

In contrast, the desire for wisdom can indeed be cultivated in anyone. And this is what should be humanity’s primary goal and objective. Perhaps then, I, you, and others can become wise. To achieve this, we must love wisdom. And one who loves wisdom is a philosopher, while this love itself is philosophy.

Thus, Greek wisdom—the love of wisdom—originates from nature, just as in ancient China, India, and Egypt. However, the institutionalization and widespread dissemination of this love occurred significantly for the first time in Ancient Greece. This is the fundamental reason why modern philosophy took shape there.

I believe we have now addressed part of our question.

Another reason philosophy emerged in Greece was the rule of the people, or democracy (dēmokratía in Greek). Democracy provided freedom of speech, and open discussions became an ordinary part of the daily life of free Greeks. As a result, critical concepts essential to philosophy—such as exchange of ideas, criticism, analysis, argumentation, logical reasoning, and critical thinking—took shape. Freedom is the foundation of all development. However, this freedom must exist within rational boundaries: one person’s boundless freedom should not encroach on another’s. Truth must always take precedence.

Newton expressed a valuable idea on this matter: “In philosophy, there can be no ruler but truth… We should erect golden statues to Kepler, Galileo, and Descartes, with the inscription: ‘Plato is a friend, Aristotle is a friend, but the greatest friend is truth.”

Democracy gave Greek philosophers a level of freedom that Indian and Chinese philosophers lacked. The latter often had to align their thoughts with the prevailing ideology of the time and were materially dependent on rulers. In contrast, Greek philosophers were free to promote their ideas in whatever form they deemed necessary.

But only the one who is not forced to lie is truly free says Camus. These words carry profound truth and deep meaning. To not recall the famous Diogenes (412–323 BCE) in this context would be almost a crime. The ascetic philosopher, who lived in a barrel, was one of the most renowned figures of his time.

According to legend, when Alexander the Great visited Corinth, he received many prominent individuals, but Diogenes was not among them. Alexander decided to visit the philosopher himself. Approaching Diogenes, who was lying on the ground basking in the sun, the young ruler, after a long conversation, asked, “Ask me for anything you desire.”

Diogenes’ reply elevated him as an individual while simultaneously reducing countless others to insignificance: “Step aside, you are blocking the sunlight,” he said.

“If I were not Alexander, I would wish to be Diogenes,” reflected the young ruler, who would go on to conquer the known world.

It is this love of freedom, wisdom, knowledge, and intellectual strength—alongside many other factors—that made Ancient Greece the cradle of modern philosophy.