The Big 3 Great Greek Philosophers
According to historical records Ancient Greek interest in philosophy rose significantly in the 6th century BC that lasted and flourished throughout the 323 BC-30 BC Hellenistic period. Spanning a vast array of subjects such as political philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, ontology (the exploration of the nature of being, becoming, existence, or reality), logic, biology, rhetoric, and aesthetics (the philosophical domain delving into art, beauty, and taste), Greek philosophy stands as a monumental edifice in intellectual exploration. Its indelible impact on Western thought is undeniable. While noteworthy philosophers existed before their time, it is Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle who emerge as the pivotal trio deserving primary attention during this period.
Socrates, emerging in Athens around 470 BC, stands prominently among the founders of Western philosophy. However, his life and philosophical stance are veiled in a pervasive mystery, sparking what has been termed The Socratic Problem — a substantial conundrum. The absence of written philosophical works by Socrates necessitates an exclusive reliance on the writings of his contemporaries for any knowledge about him. Insights from Plato, Xenophon, Aristotle, and Aristophanes encapsulate all that is known about this enigmatic figure. Socrates’s seminal contribution to philosophy lies in the Socratic method — an interactive mode of inquiry and dialogue involving the exchange of questions and answers to illuminate ideas. This method unfolds through a relentless series of questions, aimed at uncovering contradictions in one’s thoughts, guiding individuals toward solid and defensible conclusions. At its essence, the Socratic Method posits that humans learn through the application of reasoning and logic, engaging in a process of identifying gaps in their own theories and subsequently addressing them.
Plato, the disciple of Socrates, remains enveloped in an aura of mystery, with his birth estimated to have occurred between 428 BC and 423 BC. Renowned as the founder of the Academy in Athens, the inaugural institution of higher learning in the Western world, Plato’s legacy is marked by intriguing enigma. Among his various philosophical contributions, I am particularly drawn to Plato’s Theory of Forms, which serves to address dual quandaries — one ethical and the other concerning permanence and change. Ethically, Plato grapples with the question of how humans can lead a fulfilling life in an ever-changing world where cherished aspects can be readily taken away. On the theme of permanence and change, Plato explores the apparent contradiction of a world simultaneously appearing both permanent and in flux. The observable world through our senses presents a dynamic and ever-changing landscape, while the world perceived through the mind seems immutable and constant. This dichotomy prompts fundamental questions: Which perceived world holds greater reality? Why do we encounter these two distinct realities?
In navigating these challenges, Plato devised a bifurcation of the world, delineating it into two distinct realms: the material, or physical, realm and the transcendent, or mental, realm of forms. Accessible through the mind, the realm of forms offers entry into an immutable world, impervious to the tribulations and fluctuations of the material realm. Plato advocates for the detachment of our souls from the material world, liberating them from the constraints of our bodies. Cultivating the capacity to engage with the forms, Plato contends, leads us to discover enduring values impervious to change, thus resolving the ethical dilemma. This dichotomy of existence into two realms not only resolves the quandary of permanence and change but also illuminates a profound distinction: our minds perceive a realm with disparate objects compared to the ever-changing material world perceived through our senses.
Aristotle, Plato’s famous student, lived from 384 BC to 322 BC. At the age of eighteen, he enrolled in Plato’s Academy in Athens and remained there until thirty-seven, diligently refining his comprehension of the world. His profound insights into the nature of existence culminated in his theory of universals, a concept that captivates my interest. The crux of the problem of universals revolves around the existence and nature of properties. Universals, in metaphysical terms, denote shared characteristics or qualities among particular things. Aristotle’s theory posits that universals only exist where they are instantiated, rejecting the notion that properties exist independently. Unlike his mentor, Plato, Aristotle contends that universals are inseparable from individual entities, emphasizing their identical nature across instances. In essence, Aristotle maintains that universals exist solely within things, deviating from Plato’s perspective on this matter.
These three laid the road-map upon which the beliefs of the broader Western world were constructed. Visionaries like John Locke and Descartes, inspired by the profound theories espoused by these intellectual giants, incorporated their insights into their own influential works. I am particularly eager to delve into your perspectives, especially regarding the theories attributed to Plato.
