Hesiod He is known as the "father of Greek didactic poetry". He also belonged to the pre-Socrates society and was an influential figure in ancient Greece. They believed that humans originated from a single substance, which could be water, air, or an unlimited substance called apeiron. One well-known philosopher from this group was Pythagoras, the mathematician who created the Pythagorean Theorem. Here are some notable Greek figuresfrom philosophers to mathematicians and scientistsand how they have shaped the world we know today. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. He was one of the first ancient Greek philosophers to use deductive reasoning to make his conclusions, which was a monumental shift in how thinkers formed theories. Identify what our own educational system can learn from each of the three. These students were a part of the Helenistic era of greek empire. He came from a prominent family in Athens and had a war hero for a father. "text": "Thales of Miletus, who was born in 624/623 BCE, is generally recognized as the earliest Greek philosopher. They placed natural science and the ethical application of philosophical values at the centre of their practice. One of the most widespread schools of thought founded by the ancient Greek philosophers was Stoicism. His hobbies include walking, philosophy, history, photography, and writing fiction. It emerged in the 6 th century BC and was largely explored in Ancient Greece and the rest of the Roman Empire. "@type": "Question", document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How Many Days In Santorini Do You Really Need? He also launched the Peripatetic School of Philosophy. Thales was a mathematician, physician, engineer and astronomer, and is known as the Father of Science. The Death of Socrates (1787), by Jacques-Louis David. Socrates was a greek philosopher that lived from four-hundred-sixty-nine BCE to three-hundred-ninety-nine BCE. , Wall Decor If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. He also believed that soul and perception are related more with the heart, rather than with the brain. He is, in fact, known as the "Father of Western Philosophy" for this reason. National Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036. He did not leave any written record of his life or ideas, so most of what we know about Socrates was written by one of his students, Plato. He is also known as the father of science." For Epicurus, the purpose of philosophy was to attain the happy, tranquil life, characterized by ataraxia . In 399 BC, after Socrates was condemned to death, Plato left Athens. Historians claim he was a pupil of a philosopher named Xanophanes as most of his preaching, thoughts and poems are heavily influenced by him. Humans, Zeno argued, had been given free will. He developed several theories using observation, scientific knowledge and logic, steering clear from mythology. Aristotle based all his findings on factual data which were gathered from his real-life experiences. All rights reserved. According to another story, the king of Macedon said that if I were not Alexander, I would have liked to be Diogenes. Only a few years later, at age 18, Alexander got his first chance to fight in a war and helped defeat the Sacred Band of Thebes during the Battle of Chaeronea. He wrote an estimated 200 works during his lifetime; 31 of them are still admired and studied today. These brilliant scholars began to use reason and logic to try and unravel the workings of the cosmos. Hi! It emphasized logic and championed the idea of impartial, rational observation of the natural world. Along with Socrates and Plato, he laid much of the foundation of Western philosophy. Although this picture might not necessarily be true, ancient Greek philosophers were the first that doubted the contemporary philosophical paradigm, observed and interpreted the world they lived in and set the basis of Western civilization thinking. He is often credited with developing the study of logic, as well as the foundation for modern-day zoology. "text": "The most famous philosophers of Ancient Greece are Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle." As a deep thinker and an answer seeker, he sometimes roamed the cities and markets seeking for answers through open discussions and meetings. Socrates (470/469-399 B.C.E.) This was the philosophical branch of metaphysics. Socrates (470/469-399 B.C.E.) "@type": "Question", He took the time to exercise his philosophies in his daily life. He was one of the most influential pre-Socratic philosophers, and inspired most of the people who succeeded him. Anne Franks Legacy: How Her Story Changed the World. Socrates was heavily invested in actions regarding his philosophical ideologies. He subsequently left the city, and spent his last years in exile. Ancient Greek Civilization offered profound contributions to shaping Western civilization, from philosophy and natural science, to culture and political structure. Not one to entirely discount mythology, he was an advocate for bridging the gap between the worlds of myth and reason. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. Western philosophy builds upon the ideas of Greek philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. Socrates (470/469399 B.C.E.) Democritus was born in Abdera to a wealthy family. We help YOU create #art and #culture inspired #home spaces with over 12,000 products. Greek Philosophers and Thinkers The Intellectual Giants of Ancient GreeceThe ancient Greeks are renowned for their contributions to philosophy, science, math. Socrates developed a method of teaching recorded by his pupil, Pla. 10 Greek philosophers, you should know 1. "acceptedAnswer": { When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. Plato's foremost contribution to philosophy was his theory of Forms, which posited a realm of ideal, perfect, and changeless entities standing behind the world of ordinary experience. All Collections If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. } Through books like the Republic and the Symposium and the founding of his Academy, Platos ideas survived to influence generations of thinkers. Sadly, much of his written work has been lost. Aristotle (384322 B.C.E. "@type": "Answer", The Works of Aristotle. Pythagoras was part of the next wave of presocratic Greek philosophers and he is thought to have been born on the island of Samos in 570 BC. Xenophanes of Colophon (c. 570-480 BCE): Xenophanes rejected the anthropomorphic deities and considered there to be one incorporeal god. This refers both to living in harmony with the natural world and accepting our inherent human nature. Thales was a Monist, meaning that he considered a single element to be the main building block of the cosmos. Pythagoras is an influential philosopher known for his famous theory Pythagoras Theorem Belonging to the pre-Socrates era, this philosopher established a school where studies and researches were done to back up philosophy and real life. Socrates was the first major Greek philosopher. Epicurus saw the fear of death as the main opposition to a life of pleasure and tranquility. Like Thales of Miletus, everything that we know about Pythagoras is reported third-hand, with fragmentary accounts of his life only first appearing some 150 years after his death. He was able to establish an Academy in Athens which is identified as Western societys first institution of higher learning. He is one of the very few ancient Greek philosophers whose written work has survived almost in its entirety. His name was Pericles. Furthermore, his philosophical contributions centered on the practical aspects of life. Thales of Miletus, who was born in 624/623 BCE, is generally recognized as the earliest Greek philosopher. Though our list highlights 5 key ancient Greek philosophers, a number of key thinkers such as Zeno, Empedocles, Anaximander, Anaxagoras, Eratosthenes and Parmenides also deserve mention for their contributions to modern philosophy. Pythagoras. Modern philosophers and educators still employ the patterns of thinking and exploration established by ancient Greek philosophers, such as the application of logic to questions of thought and engaging in debate to better convey philosophical ideas. They also brought us the principles of democracy which we employ in our government (Akins). His most important virtues are peace of mind (ataraxia), freedom and the absence of pain and fear. He wrote a poem called On Nature in which he dealt with a very intriguing question is it or is it not? In this light, even pain can be a positive thing, if it leads to peace of mind. } In fact, just as it is said "Ancient Greece is the foundation of modern civilization" so too it must be said of learning and education. There is no record of the specific time that Plato's . He is most fascinated by the Achaemenid Persian Empire and has been interested in the Ancient world his entire life. Another element of Ancient Greece that attracts thousands of visitors is the Ancient Greek philosophy. One of the first Greek philosophers to concentrate on scientific thought was Thales of Miletus. Following in Socrates footsteps, he became a teacher and inspired the work of the next great Greek philosopher, Aristotle. After disagreeing with some of Platos ideas, Aristotle left to form his own school, the Lyceum. "@type": "Answer", Often mocked by other ancient Greek philosophers, the Cynics got their name from the Greek word kunikos which translates as dog-like. In many ways, this was true. Some of the most famous and influential philosophers of all time were from the ancient Greek world, includingSocrates,PlatoandAristotle. The Greeks made major contributions to math and science. He hypothesized that everything in the universe was governed by the principles of mathematics and considered the discipline to be the foundational model for philosophy. And stopped the reliance on myths and folklore. He was active around the same time as Homer. Famously, Alexander the Great sought out Diogenes and asked if there was anything he could do for him. The famous philosopher-emperor, Marcus Aurelius, was a student of Stoicism along with writers such as Epictetus and Seneca. Dates of Anaximander who develops the cosmic theory of the apeiron as the First Cause of existence. Parmenides was able to introduce varying new concepts for life and humanity. These are some of the most well-known of all Greek philosophers. He never wrote anything and most of his philosophical contributions come through his students, mainly Plato. Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were two of the ancient world's most influential schools of thought. In his perspective, life had a hierarchical make-up and all living beings could be grouped in this hierarchy based on their position from lowest to highest. Thales of Miletus (624/3 - 548/5 BC) Thales of Miletus came from Ionia, in Asia Minor. Aristotle thought a lot about the meaning of life and about living a moral life. ", Allegedly, Diogenes replied that he would like Alexander to stand out of his sun. "@type": "Question", Plato is another famous Greek philosopher born in Athens. He actively engaged in understanding different aspects of knowledge such as philosophy, mathematics, science and geography, and is also said to be the founder of the school of natural philosophy. Armand D'Angour, a renowned classical scholar, has found new sources that Socrates in fact received many of his ideas, particularly those about love, from a woman he had an affair with. That most enduring of romantic images, Aristotle tutoring the future conqueror Alexander. Some examples are metaphysics, ontology, logic, reason, politics, ethics, biology, rhetoric and epistemology. He is also credited with being the first to break down knowledge into different categories such as ethics, biology, mathematics and physics, which is a classification pattern still used today. His main life goal is happiness, which includes peace of mind and stability. Zeno believed that by accepting what was not in our power we could dedicate our attention to what we did have power over. Often the philosophers were teachers of wealthy children. A huge number of disciples studied at his school, learning the ways and means of leading lives with harmony and balance. The world's 10 most famous philosophers have shaped our culture and thought throughout history. The Post-Socratic philosophers established four schools of philosophy: Cynicism, Skepticism, Epicureanism, and Stoicism. Socrates. Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon Brilliant Rivals, Hitler vs Stalin: The Battle for Stalingrad, How Natural Disasters Have Shaped Humanity, Hasdrubal Barca: How Hannibals Fight Against Rome Depended on His Brother, Wise Gals: The Spies Who Built the CIA and Changed the Future of Espionage, Bones in the Attic: The Forgotten Fallen of Waterloo, How Climate and the Natural World Have Shaped Civilisations Across Time, The Rise and Fall of Charles Ponzi: How a Pyramid Scheme Changed the Face of Finance Forever. He also ensured his disciples implemented his philosophies and others in their daily lives and associations through thinking and using their intellects. And stopped the reliance on myths and folklore. To Socrates, ignorance was the ultimate evil. In this way, he openly moved away from the endless physical speculation that his fellow philosophers prized, instead advocating for a method of philosophy based on human reason that was practically applicable. Major Greek Philosophers. Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the foundations of Western thought, and the ideas of these Ancient Greek philosophers still influence our understanding of the world today. Who are the Greek philosophers and their contributions? They attempted to explain the world around them using reason and logic." Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who believed that happiness was based on relationships with others and self-reflection. The Republic also compares five regimes, aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy and tyranny, and describes an ideal / Utopian society. Kant's comprehensive and systematic works in epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and aesthetics have made him one of the most influential figures in modern Western philosophy. He espoused finding meaning beyond face value using philosophical thought to truly understand the lived world. c. 585 BCE. He is also famously known as Platos disciple. Some examples are metaphysics, ontology, logic, reason, politics, ethics, biology, rhetoric and epistemology. While the great philosophers are well known, there were many other great Greek political and military leaders who had an impact on the world. His philosophy was passed down through his students and it remains an important subject for discussion today. It criticised Athenian democracy, and remains a central document of Western thought and culture today. It had to be essential to life and it had to be something that every part of the universe could be made from. Without these ancient Greek thinkers, modern philosophical and scientific scholarship may have looked entirely different. Belief systems in ancient Greece largely revolved around magic, mythology and the idea that a higher deity controlled all. One of the most extreme ancient Greek philosophers was Diogenes, the founder of the Cynic school. . His philosophical and scientific system became the framework and vehicle for both Christian Scholasticism and medieval Islamic philosophy. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Derivative websource: http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Alexander.htm. Like Plato, Aristotle was a prolific writer. Entertainment & Pop Culture; Geography & Travel; Health & Medicine; Lifestyles & Social Issues; Literature; Philosophy & Religion; Politics, Law & Government "text":"Greek philosophy helped shape a number of topics. Parmenides was able to introduce varying new concepts for life and humanity. WEBSITE - www.xoticbrands.net. You cannot download interactives. You cannot download interactives. Anaxagoras was a brilliant philosopher with many challenging ideas like other early Greek philosophers.Unfortunately, the Greek wasn't so ready and for all and many eccentric reasons, he was forced to leave the city. Alongside Socrates, Plato was a founding figure of Western thought. The following is a list of the most influential philosophers of ancient Greece and their most relevant contributions. Answer (1 of 4): From Socrates, the ancient Greek philosophers contributed much to education. He was a tutor of Alexander the Great, the king of Macedon. National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Sites like the Acropolis of Athens, Ancient Epidaurus or Ancient Olympia are tied to Greeces long and rich history. It is believed that he traveled extensively during this period and returned 12 years later in 387 BC. I have loved wisdom all my life that is why i read about those great thinkers. Today, we look at the different contributions some of these known philosophers made to the world; Aristotle made sure to categorize knowledge into different fields such as Physics, biology, ethics and math. Diogenes believed that by rejecting material possessions and committing to an ascetic life of poverty, one could be free of social expectations and politics. ", Famous Greek philosopher and scientist, Aristotle, made significant contributions to various fields of science and arts of his era-logic, biology, politics, economics, ethics and aesthetics. Instead, Aristotle developed a theory of philosophy that interpreted the world as based on facts learned from experience. Classification of animals into similar groups. Thales of Miletusis renowned as one of the legendary Seven Wise Men (or Sophoi) of antiquity and was the first to pioneer the basic principle of matter. Epicurus was a Greek philosopher.Also, he was the founder of Epicureanism.It is a school of thought based on . Ethically, Epicurus believed that to live a pleasant life, one had to be honorable, just, and wise. Consistently surrounded by the arts, one of the first things he did was to sponsor the playwright Aeschylus. }, { A follower of Pythagoras, Parmenides contributed immensely in the field of philosophy. Aristotle believed we gain knowledge from the evidence that we observe in the world around us. Click the below button to see the list of the ancient Greek philosophers }, { Zeno became known for the way he pushed people to perceive reality. In both instances, we should accept both the good and bad aspects of life. Many of his ideas were abstract and theoretical. Following the Pythagoreans, Empedocles spoke against meat eating and animal sacrifices. 3)Parmenides: Parmenides was able to introduce varying new concepts for life and humanity. Click the below button to see the list of the ancient Greek philosophers, Powered by GreeceHighDefinition / Privacy Policy, List of 357 Ancient Greek Philosophers and Their Contributions, 30 Places in Winter Greece Like a Fairy Tale, Ultraviolet light reveals how ancient Greek statues really looked , What Places Did Odysseus Travel | Troy, Ismaros & More, The Impact of Ancient Greece History on the Modern World, 9 Places In Europe That You Must Visit At Least Once In Your Life, Rare Byzantine coin may show a 'forbidden' supernova explosion from A.D. 1054, Thessaloniki metro finds to get very own museums, More than 300,000 artifacts found during Thessaloniki metro construction. His work inspired later philosophers, and has had a profound influence on western philosophy. Epicurus saw pleasure as the ultimate example of good, while pain was the foremost example of evil. He also belonged to the pre-Socrates society and was an influential figure in ancient Greece. Stoicism, founded by Zeno of Citium, taught that the purpose of life was to live in harmony with nature and to develop self-control and . National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Here are five Greek Philosophers you should know. , Furniture However, in 399 B.C.E. He was able to revolutionize the modern world through his teachings. The value we place upon an educated society is an ideal we share with the ancient Greeks. People who travel to Greece are often overwhelmed by our ancient monuments. Aristotle is still considered one of the greatest thinkers in the areas of politics, psychology, and ethics. Here are the nine most famous Greek philosophers who shaped the world for centuries. The Socratic philosophers in ancient Greece were Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Born in 427 BC, Plato was a prolific writer. Ikedinachi Ayodele Power Wogu. Protagorass experience as a lawyer taught him a fundamental principle; every argument has two sides, and both may hold equal validity. However, Aristotle rejected Platos theory of the Forms in favor of a more empirical approach. "text": "Socrates of Athens is considered to be the Father of Western Philosophy." He was interested in every single field of human knowledge of the time, apart from religion and politics. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. Socrates developed the Socratic Method, which involved taking someones basic idea and asking a series of questions to expose any contradictions or flaws. Available for the first time in a comprehensive collection, these contributions reveal the author's ability to combine the skills of a philosopher, philologist, and historian of ideas in addressing some of the most difficult problems of ancient philosophy. The Greeks were known for their sophisticated sculpture and architecture. historical documents, constructing new histories, and citing logic to uphold religious freedom.Monasticism, or being a monk, is a form of religion . Here, we have listed the top 12 contributions of Plato: Contents show. Democritus was a Greek philosopher.He was one of history's earliest atheists.He explained the world in a materialistic manner. Pythagoras methods influenced later Greek philosophers such as Plato, and Pythagoras founded his own academy in Italy. Socrates embarked a whole new perspective of achieving practical results through application of philosophy in our daily lives. Sanjay Misra. Socrates spent the majority of his life asking questions, always in search of the truth. Anaximander, another great early philosopher, better known for his ideas about evolution, was the first Greek philosopher to create a cosmological model. He famously illustrated this worldview through his Platos Cave analogy. His teachings influenced later Greek philosophers and scientists of the 15th 16th century AD, like Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton. The Father of History: Who Was Herodotus. 10. Analyse the contributions of each of these three to education; 3. Plato. It is unarguably a known fact that ancient Greece was home to some of the most important and celebrated philosophers in the world today. Why Was Alexander the Greats Victory at the Battle of Issus so Significant? How Significant Was the Battle of Himera? As students of nature, I include Pythagarus, and Epicurus. Well also explore the three main schools of Hellenistic philosophy and the founders that governed philosophy after Alexander the Great. Thales of Miletus gets the top spot on this list for representing a pivotal point in ancient Greek philosophy from which subsequent generations of famous thinkers, theorists, dialectics, meta physicists, and philosophers sprouted. By 323 B.C.E., Alexander ruled over an enormous amount of land a feat that caused historians to give him the nickname Alexander the Great.. It tackled several areas including ethics, politics, rhetoric, mathematics, metaphysics, logic, astronomy, and biology. What are the contribution of Greek education? After the death of Alexander the Great, the focus of philosophy moved away from epistemology and metaphysics and instead focused on personal ethics. Ancient Greeks brought many gifts to the world, including democracy, theatre and of course philosophy. - 546 B.C.) This suggested that human perception (i.e. He saw this as a product of mankinds innate ability to use reason which separated us from other animals. Today, we look at the different contributions some of these known philosophers made to the world; Aristotle made sure to categorize knowledge into different fields such as Physics, biology, ethics, and math. Like Plato, Aristotle wanted to figure out how we attain knowledge. I was unaware of the age of these ancient thinkers. Pericles did much to help the culture of Athens flourish. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher who is credited with being one of the founders of Western philosophy. Aristotle based all his findings on factual data which were gathered from his real-life experiences. c. 610 BCE - c. 546 BCE. Sarah Appleton, National Geographic Society. }, { Born in 490 BC, the year of Darius the Greats failed conquest of Greece, Protagoras became a legal counselor during Athenss golden age. At a young age, Alexander learned to fight and ride, famously taming the wild horse Bucephalus at age 12. Aristotle was also concerned with the purpose of things and how we could lead a good life. Both his calculations are exact, and so he became famous worldwide. He is responsible for developing what is known as the Socratic method, a technique still used by professors in law schools today. Since Socrates had no written account of his philosophy, after his death his fellow philosophers recorded his speeches and dialogues. He came up with the Socratic Method. BA Professional Writing, member Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 9 Greek Philosophers Who Shaped The World, 8 Philosophers of Stoicism You Should Know, King Xerxes I: 9 Facts About His Life And Rule, Three Ancient Greek Female Philosophers You Should Know, Understanding Monotheism in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, 13 Most Important Greek Philosophers Before Socrates (Presocratics), Darius the Great: 9 Facts About The King Of Kings, Michel de Montaigne and Socrates on Know Thyself.