Ancient Greek Philosophers Really Smart Dead Guys

Socrates 469-399 BC

Socrates A stonecutter who left no writings and accepted no money for his teachings

“I am wise because I know I know nothing” Socrates “I am wise because I know I know nothing”

“The unexamined life is not worth living” Socrates “The unexamined life is not worth living”

Called himself a “gadfly” Socrates Called himself a “gadfly”

Socrates “Virtue is knowledge”

Socrates Developed “Socratic Method,” a series of questions aimed at revealing the ignorance of the other conversant

Accused of dishonoring the Gods and corrupting the youth of Athens Socrates Accused of dishonoring the Gods and corrupting the youth of Athens

Died willingly despite the opportunity to avoid his death sentence. Socrates Died willingly despite the opportunity to avoid his death sentence.

The Death of Socrates, by Jacques Louis David

Plato 429-347 BC

Plato Aristocratic background Student of Socrates Established the Academy Wrote Dialogues, including The Republic, 360 BC

Plato Venerated his teacher Socrates Trained as a mathematician Interested in ideal forms

Aristotle 384-322 BC

Aristotle Father was physician to Philip of Macedon, and Aristotle was tutor to Alexander the Great

Aristotle Founded the Lyceum, which became a center of study in a wide range of subjects

Aristotle Known in the middle ages as “the philosopher” because of the range and authority of his ideas

Aristotle From Raphael’s School of Athens