The most

notable ancient
Greek
philosopher
Pythagoras (570 BCE TO 495 BCE)

• A mathematician and scientist, he was credited

with formulating the Pythagorean theorem.
• His work earned him many followers, and he
established a community of learners who were
devoted to the study of religion and philosophy.
Heraclitus (535 BCE TO 475 BCE)

• He proposed that everything that exists is based on a

higher order or plan which he called logos.
• For him, change is a permanent aspect of he human
condition as he was credited with the saying, “ No
man ever steps in the same river twice.”
 Democritus (460 BCE to 370 BCE)
• He devoted himself to the study of the
causes of natural phenomena.
• He was among the first to propose that
matter is composed of tiny particles called
atoms.
 Diogenes of Sinope (412 BCE to 323 BCE)

• He was a known advocate of living a simple and

virtuous life.
• For Diogenes, one should not only talk of virtue
but should show it in words and actions.
Diogenes of Sinope (412 BCE to 323 BCE)
• His emphasis on austerity and simplicity often went to the extreme, and he
was said to have lived like a beggar.
• He was also known to be a vocal critic of well-known philosophers such
as Plato and Aristotle.
• His teachings and views were later developed by his followers and
influenced the development of several schools of philosophy such as
Cynicism and Stoicism.
 EPICURUS (341 BCE to 270 BCE)
• He believed that philosophy could enable man to
live a life of happiness.
• His views gave rise to Epicureanism – a school of
philosophy which believes that wisdom and
simple living will result in a life of fear and pain.
Socrates ( 470 BCE to 399 BCE)
• He was considered the foremost philosopher of ancient times.
• He made great contributions to the field of ethics.
• Socrates was a known critic of intellectuals during his time, but he himself did
not claim to be “wise” and merely considered himself a “midwife” that helped
inquiring minds achieve wisdom.
• He also believed that philosophy could enable a man to live a life of virtue.
• He was credited with formulating the Socratic Method – a means of examining a
topic by devising a series of questions that let the learner examine and analyze
his knowledge and views regarding the topic.
 Plato (427 BCE to 347 BCE)
• A student of Socrates, he wrote down his mentor’s teachings and
incorporated some of his own ideas into them.
• His teachings and writings were considered the foundation of Western
philosophy.
• Plato’s most significant ideas include his Theory of Forms, which
proposes that everything that exists is based on an idea or template that
can only be perceived in the mind; these nonphysical ideas are eternal
and unchanging.
• He also focused his studies on the ideal society and proposed an ideal
model of government and society which is ruled by wisdom and reason.
 Plato (427 BCE to 347 BCE)
• Plato is also known for his dialectic – a method of
inquiry where two opposing ideas are discussed in
an attempt to arrive at new knowledge.
• Plato’s lasting contribution to learning was his
founding of the Academy, an institution of higher
learning which was the first of its kind in the
Western World.
 Aristotle (384 BCE to 322 BCE)
•He attended the academy, and was a prominent student of
Plato.
•Aristotle, however, disagreed with Plato’s theory of forms and
took a different stance in interpreting reality.
•For him, all ideas and views are based on perception and our
reality is based on what we can sense and perceive.
•This view greatly influenced the study of the physical sciences.
 Aristotle (384 BCE to 322 BCE)
• Aristotle was involved in a great variety of disciplines such
as zoology, psychology, ethics, and politics.
• He also proposed a system for the classification of plants
and animals.
• His studies in logic led to the formulation of a formal
process of analyzing reasoning which gave rise to deductive
reasoning – the process by which specific statements to
reach a conclusion or generalization.
• From their roots in ancient Greece, the thoughts and ideas
of philosophers soon gained popularity in many places
throughout the world.
• The development that started in ancient Greece brought
about the emergence of Western Philosophy.
• Meanwhile, Eastern Philosophy emerged from the
communities and civilizations in Asia.
• While both philosophies pondered the significant questions
regarding human existence.
• Western philosophy throughout the centuries became more
systematic and specialized in its approach.
• Eastern philosophy, on the other hand, is more fluid and
places greater emphasis on social relations, the family, and
community.
• At present, philosophy is an important field of study as it
touches upon a diverse array of topics and disciplines.
• Every aspect of human knowledge from the arts to science
and technology has benefitted from the inquiring nature of
philosophy.
 Make a graphic organizer summarizing the
Ancient Philosophers and their contributions

ANCIENT PHILOSOPHER SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION