Philosophy: Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle

Ancient Greek Philosophers

• Plato (424-347 B.C.) was influenced by Socrates (470-399 B.C.), a humble sophist who sought to understand what is true and permanent through dialogues.

Socratic Dialogues and Legacy

• Plato wrote Socratic dialogues, adding his own interpretations, which became foundational for nativism and rationalism.
• Socrates' dialogues aimed to appreciate what is true and permanent.

The Academy and Aristotle

• Plato established the Academy in Athens, a center for higher learning.
• Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) became Plato's top pupil at the Academy.
• After Plato's death, Aristotle became the first great proponent of empiricism, believing true knowledge comes from sensory experiences.

Ancient Greek Context

• Around 500 B.C., Athens became a democracy.
• Greeks were proud of their language and called non-Greek speakers 'barbaros'.
• They coined important words like 'logos' and 'philosophia'.

Thales and Early Philosophy

• Thales (624-546 B.C.) was famous for accurate astronomical and meteorological observations.
• Thales believed water was the most important element.

Concept of Psyche

• The original meaning of psyche was 'breath', present in the living but absent in the dead.
• The Latin translation for psyche was anima (animated).

Socrates' Life

• Socrates married Xanthippe and had three sons.
• He abandoned his stone-cutting profession to become an itinerant teacher.
• His famous students were Plato and Xenophon (430-354 B.C.).
• At 70, Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock poison.