Philosophy Overview and Ancient Thinkers

Questions and Answers

Philosophy is derived from the Greek words philos (love) and ______ (wisdom)

sophia

Epicurus was the founder of ______, a school of philosophy

Epicureanism

Heraclitus is credited with the saying 'No man ever steps in the ______ twice'

river

The philosopher is known as the lover of ______

wisdom Signup and view all the answers

Socrates did not claim to be wise himself, instead saw himself as a 'midwife' helping others achieve ______.

wisdom Signup and view all the answers

Democritus proposed that matter is composed of tiny particles called ______

atoms Signup and view all the answers

Plato was a student of ______ and wrote down his teachings.

Socrates Signup and view all the answers

Aristotle proposed a system for classifying ______ and animals.

plants Signup and view all the answers

Socrates believed that philosophy could guide a person to live a ______ life.

virtuous Signup and view all the answers

Plato established the ______ of Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the western world.

Academy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition of Philosophy

Derived from Greek words "philos" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom).
Philosophy means the love of wisdom and encompasses the study of all things through their ultimate causes.
Acquired knowledge through reason, focusing on reality, existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.

Notable Ancient Greek Philosophers

Pythagoras (570 BCE to 495 BCE)

Ionian Greek philosopher known for the Pythagorean Theorem in geometry.

Heraclitus (535 BCE to 475 BCE)

Proposed that everything is based on a higher order called logos.
Emphasized change as a permanent aspect of existence, famously stating, "No man ever steps in the river twice."
Known as “The Obscure” and “The Weeping Philosopher.”

Democritus (460 BCE to 370 BCE)

Focused on the study of natural phenomena.
First to propose that matter consists of tiny particles called atoms.

Diogenes of Sinope (412 BCE to 323 BCE)

Advocated for a simple and virtuous life, emphasizing austerity.
Critiqued philosophers like Plato and Aristotle.
Influential in developing Cynicism and Stoicism.

Epicurus (341 BCE to 270 BCE)

Founder of Epicureanism, promoting happiness through philosophy.
Shared atomist views with Democritus, asserting that everything is made of indivisible particles.

Socrates (470 BCE to 399 BCE)

Leading ancient philosopher known for contributions to ethics.
Employed the Socratic Method, facilitating wisdom through dialogue.
Viewed himself as a “midwife” to help others achieve wisdom.

Plato (427 BCE to 347 BCE)

Student of Socrates who documented his teachings and introduced his philosophies.
Established the Theory of Forms and emphasized the creation of an ideal society led by wisdom and reason.
Founded the Academy of Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world.

Aristotle (384 BCE to 322 BCE)

Prominent student of Plato attending his Academy.
Engaged in various disciplines: zoology, psychology, ethics, and politics.
Developed a classification system for plants and animals.
His work in logic pioneered the concept of deductive reasoning.

Description

Explore the essence of philosophy, its origins, and its significance as the pursuit of wisdom. This quiz covers fundamental concepts of reality, knowledge, and notable ancient Greek philosophers like Pythagoras. Test your understanding of philosophy's key themes and figures.