KS2 Music: Ancient Greece. Song: 'Philosophy'

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The song celebrates the Ancient Greek discipline of philosophy. The supporting video content covers the legacy of Ancient Greece and its influence on Western civilisation, including philosophy and other disciplines such as maths, geometry, astronomy and medicine.

The song

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'Philosophy' - vocal

A relaxed, contemplative, jazzy song. The first two verses explore different aspects of philosophical thinking - about evidence, asking questions, thinking wisely, words and language, the past, present and future.

There are refrains to speak in time together, reciting the first eight letters of the ancient Greek alphabet, and the names of six famous Greek philosophers.

The third verse reflects on philosophy’s practical applications relevant to the modern world - in maths, geometry, science, medicine, astronomy, and the idea of democracy.

Refer to the Teacher Notes for more information about the song, including follow-up music activities based on it and suggestions for cross-curricular study.

Context: what influence has Ancient Greece had on Western civilisation?

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We meet Arete of Cyrene, a philosopher from the 5th - 4th century BCE, who explains how so many aspects of Ancient Greek civilisation are still relevant to us today.

The topics Arete covers includes architecture, philosophy, science, mathematics, medicine and democracy.

Arete indicates how many of the most important buildings in the present day copy the features of Ancient Greek architecture. She shows how Ancient Greek letters and symbols have been adopted by modern science; how Ancient Greek astronomers were the first to postulate that the Earth moves around the sun; how Hippocrates was the first medic to presume that illness came from natural causes; how Ancient Greece developed a form of government that allowed some representation of the people, though it didn't include everyone - for example any women.

Download / print video transcript