SOCRATES

SOCRATES (470 BCE 399 BCE) – He was considered the foremost philosopher of ancient time. He made
great contributions to the field of ethics. Socrates was a known critic of intellectuals during his time, but
he himself did not claim “wise” and merely considered himself as “midwife” that helped injuring minds
achieve wisdom. He also believed that philosophy could enable a man to live a life of virtue. He was
credited with formulating the Socratic Method – a means of examining a topic by devising a series of
questions that let the learner examine and analyze his knowledge and views regarding the topic
PLATO (427 BCE to 347 BCE) – A student of Socrates, he wrote down his mentor’s teachings and
incorporated some of his ideas into them. His teachings and writings were considered the foundation of
Western philosophy. Plato’s most significant ideas included his Theory of Forms, which proposes that
everything that exists is based on an idea are eternal and unchanging. He also focused his studies on the
ideal society and proposed an ideal model of government and society which is ruled by wisdom and
reason. Plato is also known for dialectic- a method of injury where two opposing ideas are discussed in
attempt to arrive at new knowledge. Plato’s lasting contribution to learning was his founding of the
Academy, an institution of higher learning which was the first of its kind in the Western World.
ARISTOTLE (384 BCE to 322 BCE) – He attended the Academy, and was a prominent student of Plato.
Aristotle, however, disagreed with Plato’s theory of forms and took a different stance in interpreting
reality. For him, all ideas and views based on perception and our reality based on what we can sense and
perceive. This view greatly influenced the study of physical sciences. Aristotle was involved in a great
variety of disciplines such as zoology, psychology, ethics, and politics. He also proposed a system for the
classification of plants and animals. His studies in logic led to the formulation of a formal process of
analyzing reasoning which gave rise to deductive reasoning – the process by which specific statements
are analyzed to reach a conclusion or generalization.
EPICURUS (341 BCE to 270 BCE) –He believed that philosophy could enable man to live a life of
happiness. His views gave rise to Epicureanism – a school of philosophy which believes that simple living
will result in a life free of fear and pain.
PYTHAGORAS (570 BCE to 495 BCE) –A mathematician and scientist, he was credited with formulating
the PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM. His work earned him many followers, and he established a community of
learners who were devoted to the study of religion and philosophy.