Philosophy Quiz: Ancient Thinkers

Introduction to Philosophy (700-480 B.C.E.)

• Philosophy, derived from Greek words "philo" (love) and "sophia" (wisdom), initially meant "love of wisdom."
• It soon evolved into a discipline utilizing reason to explore fundamental causes, principles, and reasons behind everything.
• Pythagoras, a mathematician, was among the first to call himself a philosopher.

Emergence of Western Philosophy

• Western philosophy primarily seeks truth through systematic argumentation and theory.
• The focus shifted from faith to reason, and more attention was directed towards human existence.

Historical Background of Philosophy

• Early philosophers like Thales were primarily interested in the nature and composition of the universe.
• Key questions revolved around what's permanent in existence and the universe's structure.

Pre-Socratic Philosophers

• Thales (624 BCE – 546 BCE):

  • Considered the first Western philosopher.
  • Proposed water as the fundamental substance of all things.
  • Believed heat is generated and maintained by the amount of moisture in an object.

• Anaximander (610 BCE – 546 BCE):

  • A student of Thales.
  • Disagreed that water was the fundamental substance, instead proposing an unlimited or undefined substance called "apeiron" (the boundless).
  • This substance created, merged all things

• Anaximenes (586 BCE – 528 BCE):

  • A student of Anaximander.
  • Agreed with Thales in part that one fundamental substance is the source of everything, but believed it was air.
  • Different elements originate from different forms or pieces of air.

• Pythagoras (570 BCE – 495 BCE):

  • A mathematician & scientist.
  • Developed the Pythagorean theorem.
  • Founded a community devoted to religion and philosophy.

• Heraclitus (535 BCE – 475 BCE):

  • Proposed that change in the universe was the permanent aspect of existence.
  • Famous for the saying "You cannot step twice into the same river."

• Democritus (460 BCE – 370 BCE):

  • Suggested matter was composed of tiny particles called "atoms."
  • Dedicated to studying natural phenomena

• Diogenes (412 BCE – 323 BCE):

  • Advocated a simple and virtuous life.
  • Emphasized austerity and simplicity.
  • Criticized prominent philosophers like Plato and Aristotle.

• Epicurus (341 BCE – 270 BCE):

  • A practical philosopher.
  • Believed philosophy was crucial for happiness.
  • Denounced bodily pleasure that leads to dissatisfaction and promoted the mind instead.

• Socrates (470 BCE – 399 BCE):

  • A prominent philosopher who focused on ethics.
  • Criticized intellectuals but didn't claim to be wise.
  • Developed the Socratic method to help people learn and discover knowledge through questions.

• Plato (427 BCE – 347 BCE):

  • A student of Socrates.
  • Wrote extensively on philosophy, particularly political theory.
  • Proposed a theory of forms (nonphysical ideas are eternal).
  • Established the Academy, an institution of higher learning.

• Aristotle (384 BCE – 322 BCE):

  • A student of Plato, but had different views.
  • Emphasized perception as the basis of understanding.
  • Influenced many scientific disciplines by analyzing reasoning.
  • Founded the Lyceum, his own school.

• Archimedes (287 BCE – 212 BCE):

  • A polymath of the ancient world.
  • Developed mathematical principles and made advancements in calculus.
  • Known for several inventions like the Archimedes screw, also a method for determining volume (volume displacement).