Final answer:
Philosophers questioned traditional Greek values and gods after the Peloponnesian War due to the erosion of traditional social structures, exposure to diverse cultures, and a shift towards rational and ethical inquiry led by figures like Socrates and Plato.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Philosophers Questioned Greek Values and Gods After the Peloponnesian War
The Peloponnesian War, philosophers began vigorously questioning traditional Greek values and gods due to a number of social and cultural shifts. The war had not only demonstrated the practical importance of diplomatic skill over traditional military might but also undermined the traditional hoplite-based society. In addition, the exposure to different cultures and the increasing cosmopolitan nature of Greek society began to challenge old prejudices and beliefs in Greek superiority. This period saw a decline in the unquestioning adherence to the old tales of deities and a rise in philosophical inquiry. The sophists in Athens played a role by teaching the art of rhetoric and persuasion, often leading people to question traditional ethical standards and political institutions.
Greek philosophers like Socrates and Plato focused on ethics and politics, debating whether ethical standards and political structures were natural or societal constructs. As Greece transitioned from myth to rational thought, the inconsistencies in the stories of the gods led to skepticism. In the void left by the declining belief in gods, philosophers sought new foundations for social and moral order, with Socrates searching and Plato proposing his ideas on 'the good life'.