PHILOSOPHY HISTORICAL PERIODS OF PHILOSOPHY

Ancient Philosophy Asked questions concerned with nature, the origins of the universe, and mans place in it. Asked questions concerned with nature, the origins of the universe, and mans place in it.

Socrates World ’ s most famous philosopher World ’ s most famous philosopher Studied physics and credited with inventing the field of “ Metaphysics ” Studied physics and credited with inventing the field of “ Metaphysics ” Felt a person should never disobey the government, no matter if they were wrong or not. Felt a person should never disobey the government, no matter if they were wrong or not.

Socratic Quotes “ The unexamined life is not worth living ” “ The unexamined life is not worth living ” “ Knowledge is Virtue ” “ Knowledge is Virtue ” “ He knows nothing except that he knows nothing ” “ He knows nothing except that he knows nothing ”

Plato Believed dialogue was the only way to discover the truth or to examine an idea Believed dialogue was the only way to discover the truth or to examine an idea Wrote all we know about Socrates today Wrote all we know about Socrates today Concerned himself with the best form of government (believed in Aristocracy or “ rule by the best ” ) Concerned himself with the best form of government (believed in Aristocracy or “ rule by the best ” )

Aristotle Student of Plato and last of the Ancient Greek Philosophers Student of Plato and last of the Ancient Greek Philosophers Teacher of Alexander the Great Teacher of Alexander the Great

Aristotle Developed “ Inductive Reasoning, ” the foundation of the scientific method…believed in detailed observation and cataloging of phenomenon. Developed “ Inductive Reasoning, ” the foundation of the scientific method…believed in detailed observation and cataloging of phenomenon. Believed everything in the universe had a purpose. Believed everything in the universe had a purpose.

Medieval Philosophy Philosophy of Western Europe from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance concerned primarily with argument from authority. Philosophy of Western Europe from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance concerned primarily with argument from authority.

St. Augustine Attempted to prove the existence of God Attempted to prove the existence of God Argued for the independence and superiority of the church over the civil state Argued for the independence and superiority of the church over the civil state

St. Thomas Aquinas most influential philosopher of era most influential philosopher of era Influenced Catholic church and their views about God Influenced Catholic church and their views about God

Modern Philosophy Period where new ideas began to question authority. Began with the writings of Rene Descartes and the mind-body problem. Period where new ideas began to question authority. Began with the writings of Rene Descartes and the mind-body problem.

Immanuel Kant Studied metaphysics and epistemology Studied metaphysics and epistemology Developed the idea of the “ Categorical Imperative ” Developed the idea of the “ Categorical Imperative ”

John Stuart Mill Radical empiricist who believed all human knowledge was gathered from sensory experience Radical empiricist who believed all human knowledge was gathered from sensory experience Promoted Utilitarianism Promoted Utilitarianism

Contemporary Philosophy Philosophical thought that has occurred in the last half century. Philosophical thought that has occurred in the last half century.

Jean-Paul Sartre Wrote novels, stories, plays, and pamphlets dealing with existentialism and personal freedom and choice. Wrote novels, stories, plays, and pamphlets dealing with existentialism and personal freedom and choice.

Bertrand Russell Outlined problems with organized religion Outlined problems with organized religion Discussed advantages to studying philosophy Discussed advantages to studying philosophy