Ancient Greek Philosophers

Philosophers Basic Philosophy/Substance

Thales Thales says that the basic arche or primary

(624-546BC) substance is “water” of which everything comes
out and return to it.
Anaximander Anaximander says that the “Apeiron” is the
(610-545BC) basic substance. According to him “apeiron is
infinite, unlimited and boundless.

Anaximenes Anaximenes considered “Air” as the primary

(585-524BC) principle. He says that the “Air” was present in
‘apeiron.’

Pythagoras Pythagoras says that the “Number” is the arche

(570-496BC) or primary principle of all things. The union of
the opposites create the unity as different tones
in music make a beautiful song.
Heraclitus Basic idea is “Flux.” “All things are forever in
(544-484BC) flux nothing remain the same. He says that the
‘change’ is the reality.

Xenophanes He says that, “God is one (unchangeable)

(570-475BC) supreme among gods and men and not like
mortals in body or in mind.”
He is the Greek (theologian) to identify divinity
immanent in the world.
Parmenides Parmenides stresses on “Being.” “Only Being
(540-470BC) is, not Being is not.” Thought is Being. He is
said to be the ‘father of philosophy.’ Wrote a
poem on nature.
Zeno Zeno defended the concept of his master
(490-430BC) Parmenides that motion is illusion. Everything
is at “Rest.”

Milessus Reality is ingenerated, indestructible,

(444BC) indivisible, changeless, and motionless .reality
is unlimited and since existence is unlimited, it
must also be one.
 Empedocles Empedocles proposed four original substances;
(492-432BC) fire, water, air and earth; these are the four
‘roots’ of being. He says that becoming is
merely a change.
Democritus Democritus was “Atomist.” The fundamental
(460-370BC) concept in Democritus’ philosophy was ‘atom.’
Atom is eternal and indestructible.

Anaxagoras “Everything in everything.” Anaxagoras gave

(510-428BC) the idea of ‘divisibility.’ According to
Anaxagoras in division everything contains a
portion of everything.
The Sophists Sophists mean ‘wise-maker’ means teacher. The
(5th Century BC) aim of sophists was to train young men to
become efficient so to enjoy frame reputation
and authority over fellow citizens. Sophists
turned philosophy from nature to man
(anthropology).
Protagoras “homo est mensural” “ man is the measure of all
(481-411BC) things.” Man alone with his reason decides all
questions.
Gorgias “Nothing exists.” If it existed, it could not be
(483-375BC) known. Everything is equally false.
Hippias “Law is the tyrant of man.” Law forces a man to
(450-400 BC) do contrary to his nature.
Socrates believed that wisdom comes from
Socrates accepting there is much we don't know.
(470-399 BC) Socrates believed that truth could be achievable
through research and dialogue. The
philosopher's role is to act like a midwife
facilitating the birth of a child, helping
individuals establish the truth through the
maieutic process.
Plato Plato is known for his dialogues and for
(427-348 BC) founding his ‘Academy’. He talks about “World
of Ideal” and “Sensual World.” material world
is changing and mortal. It is the shadow of the
real, eternal and immaterial world, ‘world of
idea.’ Duality of man, body belongs to material
world whereas soul belongs to eternal world.
Body-State: head is ruler, chest: guardians or
 soldiers and lower part: tradesmen. His theory
of Forms is famous.

According to Aristotle the world of planet or

Aristotle sensual world is perfect. Human beings have
(385-324 BC) ability to think rationally. “Man is a rational
animal.” “Man is ‘maker’, ‘doer’ and ‘knower.’
Theory of Four Causes; (Material cause,
Efficient cause, Formal cause and Final cause).
Our sense are (hear, see, taste, touch and smell)
are windows to the external world.
Hellenism, refers to the spread of Greek culture that
had begun after the conquest of Alexander the Great in
Hellenism the fourth century, B.C.E. many religion and cultures
th came under the influence of Greek Culture. The
(4 century BC) Hellenistic philosophy is ethical “what is real happiness
and how to achieve it.”
a. Cynics
Real happiness you can only achieve when you
are self-sufficient and independent from such
material and luxury things. Not to care about
one’s good, not to worry about one’s suffering.
Cynics also have not to care about others
sufferings.
b. Stoics
Stoic Principle: ‘follow nature’ living according
to nature is virtue. True happiness comes from
living a harmonious life.
Founder of Epicureanism. Going against Stoics
Epicurus he says “Pleasure” is the goal of human life. He
(341-270 BC) says pleasure must be pure, unmixed with pain
and discomfort. Pleasure must be lasting and
stable.
Division between human soul and body. Body
Plotinus exist out of earth and matter while soul is
(250-270 AD) immortal. The World exist between two poles;
1. Godly light: the one which is good and Deity.
(Neoplatonism) 2. Absolute darkness: godly light does not
penetrate. Darkness has no existence, it the
absence of light.