Socrates, Plato, And Aristotle : The Age Of Philosophy

what career he wants to do. Since he’s been finishing up college him and Linda have

Philosophy in Ancient Greece greatly influenced future civilizations and generations to come. The definition of Philosophy is lover of wisdom. Socrates who lived from around 470 B.C to 399 B.C was known as the “father of philosophy”. Socrates taught the people of Greece to question everything. One of his most famous quotes is in Document 3 which states, “The unexamined life is not worth living”. Socrates suggests that people who don't analyze, question, or examine their lives, beliefs, ideas and culture they do not deserve to live. The Socratic Method is used ask and answer questions with critical thinking. Socrates inspired many, even after his execution in 399 B.C where he

In 469 B.C. a man by the name of Socrates was born. Socrates was a very wise man that cared about doing the right thing. He believed that the best ways to develop ideas was in the give and take of conversation, and that the best way to educate people was to ask them a series of questions leading in a particular direction (now named “Socrates method). Socrates had been quick to identify the drawbacks of democracy, and he had also been the teacher of two men who in different ways harmed Athens: Alcibiades and Critias. Which made the parents of the children that Socrates had taught very upset and angry. Granting all this, it lead to the Trial of Socrates 399 B.C. During this trial Socrates expressed his view of death by using his question-and-answer method, for which he was famous for and what seemed to have gotten him in trouble. Socrates did not write so we have to depend on on what others wrote, and by doing that we now get to see the diverse ways people read and understand what was written about his speech. My chosen primary source, Socrates View on Death, is important, because it gives one view of Socrates speech while my outside source, Ancient Greece, gives a slightly more in depth view.

Around 1200 A.D, a group of people began to read old Greek writings about philosophy. Soon, Greek philosophy was everywhere around Europe. Greek philosophy revolved around the ideas of human reason and logic. Despite the fact that Greek philosophical ideas opposed the church's teachings, many people began to get interested in it because it gave them support, unlike the church, during hard times. The concepts of human reason and logic suggested that humans had the capacity of making sense of things, analyzing them, and finding a reasonable solution. The reason why Greek philosophy was accepted so quickly was because of the desperation

Plato’s The Republic and Aristotle’s The Politics are two classic texts in ancient Greek political thought. Although Plato taught Aristotle, the two philosophers had differing viewpoints on many subjects, one of them being the purpose of political rule. Plato believed that the purpose of political rule is to allow for the manifestation of a just city where both the city and its citizens are in harmony due to a specialization of roles according to individuals’ natures, whereas Aristotle believed that the purpose of political rule is to create a regime that pursues the common advantage and preserves the political partnership of the city.

In contrast, Socrates was not aware, nor intentionally caused his martyrdom. For Socrates, he would gather his knowledge and theories simply by walking in public spaces, and having conversations with citizens, and esteemed figures, discussing life, and the universe, as well as asking questions of ethics, morality, and justice. Instead of preaching to the public of what truths he knew, he would ask questions to his students, which would allow them to think independently, and create a logical explanation for these questions. This method of teaching later became known as the Socratic method, which is still used today. As there were those for him, those against Socrates at the time accused him of rejecting the existence of the Olympian Gods (putting intelligent men in government above any supernatural deity,) being an atheist, and imposing radical philosophical questions on Athens’ new generation of scholars.

​As a result of the Greeks spreading throughout many regions following Alexander the Great’s conquests, the Hellenistic period saw old ways of thinking replaced with new ideas that reflected changes in society and the blending of diverse cultures that had now been exposed to one another. As Greek language and lifestyle swept through Egypt and West Asia, and major cultural hubs like Alexandria came to prominence, the Greek way of life had a profound effect on these distant lands, just as their own exotic customs and histories similarly affected Greek thought and culture. This, along with the changing political climate in these regions, led to a period of immense advancement in philosophical and religious discourse that would forever change the course of history and pave the way for the birth of Christianity. The three most significant catalysts for change in Hellenistic religion were the exposure of diverse cultures to one another, the vast changes in political and societal life during this period, and the shifts in philosophy and religious thought

Greek philosophy and Greek religion were both very important to the ancient Greece culture which has influenced the cultures of today’s society. Greek philosophers believed rationality was a huge part of mankind as well as science, botany, chemistry, and physics (Matthews, Noble, & Platt, 2014). Moreover, the Greeks viewed religion as the explanation of how one understood the universe not just a part of one’s life (“Ancient Greek Religion,” 2016). According to Donn (n.d.), “Ancient Greeks were very diligent in worshipping their gods every day. The Greeks believed in a great many gods” (para. 1).

Socrates is known for demonstrating "Socratic irony" and the "Socratic method". He is also recognized for creating the teaching practice of pedagogy. In this practice,

Socrates, a well-known philosopher of the early Athenian era, is believed to be one of the wisest and virtuous philosophers of all time. This belief holds true in the encounters of Symposium by Plato, as depicted by Alcibiades during a symposium held by Agathon. Alcibiades, the last to speak at the symposium, derails from the topic of the night, love, and elicits much praise and gratitude for Socrates. Although Alcibiades did not witness the speech given by Socrates on love, he manages to depict how Socrates endeavors through life with notions that are remarkable to that of what Socrates mentions during his oral, from which much insight is inspired as to the values of which Socrates holds.

Paul’s message to the Athenians demonstrates a perfect example of witnessing to unbelievers without using Scripture.

Socrates is known in today’s world as one of the greatest philosophers in history. Born in 469 BC just outside of Athens, Socrates was properly brought up and thoroughly educated, he developed both physical and mental strengths. Socrates spent time with the philosopher Archelaus, where he studied astronomy, mathematics, and was introduced to philosophy. Archelaus taught with a scientific approach. Socrates turned from this approach and created his own. He decided instead of trying to understand the universe, he would try to understand himself. Socrates spent many days in the Athens marketplace where he became skilled in the art of arguing.

As an Athenian philosopher, Socrates spent his life in constant pursuit of insight. He loved engaging in conversations that helped him derive philosophical views on a number of different issues. The birth of ideas through critical reasoning can be credited back to his method of teaching, which is now known as the Socratic Method. Although widely respected today, many of his teachings were found controversial in Athenian times. Socrates was placed on trial and put to death soon after because of the disapproval of his ideas.

In order to compare these great philosophers, it is important that we first of all view their history from an individual perspective.

Comparing the political theories of any two great philosophers is a complex task. Plato and Aristotle are two such philosophers who had ideas of how to improve existing societies during their individual lifetimes. While both Plato and Aristotle were great thinkers, perhaps it is necessary first to examine the ideas of each before showing how one has laid the groundwork and developed certain themes for the other.