The Three Most Famous The Three Most Famous Greek PhilosophersGreek Philosophers
Socrates Plato Aristotle
SocratesSocrates469 - 399 469 - 399 B.CB.C..
Believed that an absolute truth Believed that an absolute truth existed and that all real existed and that all real knowledge was within each knowledge was within each person.person.
Encouraged students to think & Encouraged students to think & discover meaning.discover meaning.
Left no writings.Left no writings.
Dialectic method Dialectic method ConversationalConversational Based upon reason and logicBased upon reason and logic
SocratesSocrates469 - 399 469 - 399 B.CB.C..
Socratic Method:Socratic Method:I.I. Admit ignorance.Admit ignorance.
II.II. Never rely on tradition.Never rely on tradition.
III.III. Constantly question.Constantly question.
IV.IV. Create your own opinions.Create your own opinions.
V.V. Test your opinions with Test your opinions with others.others.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.”
PlatoPlato427 - 347 427 - 347 B.CB.C..
Socrates’ student – continued Socrates’ student – continued his work on the nature of man.his work on the nature of man.
Ideal government would be led Ideal government would be led by philosopher kings.by philosopher kings.
Wrote dialoguesWrote dialogues The Republic – most important The Republic – most important
“Those things which are beautiful are also difficult.”
AristotleAristotle384 - 322 384 - 322 B.CB.C..
Most famous student of Plato / Most famous student of Plato / teacher of Alexander the Greatteacher of Alexander the Great
Developed Logic as a field of Developed Logic as a field of study; the “golden mean” – do study; the “golden mean” – do nothing to excessnothing to excess
Created a complex system of Created a complex system of classificationclassification
Used in biologyUsed in biology
Views on GovernmentViews on Government
AristotleAristotle384 - 322 384 - 322 B.CB.C..
Views on Government:Views on Government:
3 Good Governments:3 Good Governments: MonarchyMonarchy AristocracyAristocracy DemocracyDemocracy
3 Bad Governments:3 Bad Governments: TyrannyTyranny OligarchyOligarchy Mob RuleMob Rule
