PHILOSOPHY AND THINKERS�The Foundations of Western Philosophy

SOCRATES, PLATO, ARISTOTLE

• MOST INFLUENTIAL FIGURES IN WESTERN PHILOSOPHY.

• Lived in ancient Greece during the 5th and 4th centuries BCE.

•Their ideas shaped philosophy, science, politics, and education.

• Their work continues to echo in modern thought.

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BASIC TIMELINE I

PEOPLE THINKING ON NATURE – THEMSELVES – THEIR SOCIETY

From past to present

From Ionia to the world

Pre-Socratic Philosophy

Between the 6th and 5th centuries BCE

Socrates

469–399 BCE

Plato

427–347 BCE

Aristotle

384–322 BCE

Hellenistic Schools

3rd–1st centuries BCE

Roman Philosophy 1st century BCE–4th century CE

Medieval Philosophy 5th–15th centuries CE

Renaissance Philosophy 15th–17th centuries CE

Modern Philosophy

17th–18th centuries CE

Rationalism - Descartes

Empiricis m- John Locke

Kantian Philosophy

19th-Century Philosophy

Hegelian Idealism

Existentialism – Kierkegaard, Nietzsche

Utilitarianism – Bentham, Mill

Marxism

BASIC TIMELINE II

Contemporary Philosophy (21st Century)

• Philosophy of Mind and AI: Explores consciousness, free will, and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
• Environmental Ethics: Focuses on sustainability, climate justice, and humanity’s relationship with nature.
• Political Philosophy: Engages with issues like globalization, democracy, and inequality (e.g., John Rawls, Noam Chomsky).
• Intersectionality and Social Justice: Examines race, gender, and systemic inequality (e.g., Kimberlé Crenshaw).
• Global Philosophy: Incorporates non-Western traditions, such as Confucianism, Indian philosophy, and African Ubuntu.
• Meta-Philosophy: Reflects on the nature and purpose of philosophy itself.

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SOCRATES: THE QUESTIONER

Known as the 'Father of Western Philosophy

Focused on ethics and human behavior.

Developed the Socratic Method of critical questioning.

Believed in a virtuous life guided by reason.

Famous quote: 'The unexamined life is not worth living.'

Executed in 399 BCE for 'corrupting the youth.'

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PLATO: THE VISIONARY

• Student of Socrates
• Founded the Academy in Athens, the first Western higher learning institution.
• Famous works written as dialogues featuring Socrates.
• Proposed the Theory of Forms: eternal and unchanging realities.
• In 'The Republic,' envisioned a society ruled by philosopher-kings.
• Believed in live conversation and not in reading “dead” books
• Laid the groundwork for metaphysics and epistemology.

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ARISTOTLE: THE SYSTEMATIC THINKER

Student of Plato

Emphasized empirical observation and practical knowledge.

Founded the Lyceum, a research and teaching center.

Introduced the scientific method.

Ethical principle: the Golden Mean, virtue lies in moderation.

Wrote on politics, advocating a mixed government system.

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