Greek & Roman

Pre Socrates

Pythagoras

• 570 - 490 BCE
• Greek Philosopher & mathematician
• Pythagoreanism brotherhood
• Blend of music & math
• Much of Western philosophy seen as derived from

Zeno of Elea

• 5th century BCE
• Known for paradoxes
• Achilles Paradox
• Dichotomy Paradox - Race course
• The arrow Time Paradox

Socrates

• 470 - 399 BCE
• Controversial figure - hemlock
• Father of western philosophy
• Socratic questioning
• Every major school of thought begun by one of his students.

Plato

• 427 - 347 BCE
• Student of Socrates
• Started an academy (first university)
• Know for the “Republic”
• An exploration of the “soul of a nation”

Aristotle

• 384 - 322 BCE
• Student of Plato
• Development of logic
• Added to biology, ethics and aesthetics
• The Lyceum - centre of learning
• 31/200 works survived
• Organon - logical tool kit
• Metaphysical works

Epicureanism

• Epicurus 341 - 271 BCE
• Considered father of atomic theory
• Rejected Platos forms and immaterial soul
• Tranquility via limiting desires and banishing fear

Stoicism

• Debated skeptics and epicureans
• Painted porch
• Greece to Rome
• A practice of virtue is needed for happiness
• Everyday philosophy

Skepticism

• Avoid making truth claims
• No final truths
• Criticized as being dogmatic

Tell me about Marcus Aurelius.