Greek philosophy has had a major impact on Western thinking, setting the framework for many subjects such as ethics, politics, metaphysics, and science.
From the early Presocratics to the Hellenistic schools, Greek philosophers investigated basic problems about existence, knowledge, and the nature of reality. But how exactly did Greek philosophy actually come into existence and why is it so relevant today?
The Birth of Philosophy
Philosophy started in the sixth century BC with the Presocratic thinkers, who attempted to explain the nature of the cosmos without using mythology. Thales of Miletus (623-548 BC), commonly regarded as the first philosopher, stated that water is the underlying substance of all things.
His investigation signaled a transition from mythical explanations to rational thinking.
Drawing of Thales of Miletus
Image is copyrighted and not owned by Thinkark in any way, no profit will be made from this article. Will remove upon request
Another fundamental Pre-socratic is Heraclitus (540-480 BC), who famously said;
You cannot step into the same river twice, pointing out the universe's constant change...
Also, Pythagoras (570-495 BC) was a Pre-socratic philosopher, who connected mathematics to the cosmos, claiming that;
All is number, pointing out the fibonacci and π (Pi) sequences in nature.
Pythagoras was also the founder of Pythagoreanism.
His political and religious teachings were well known and influenced the philosophies of almost every philosopher that followed.
Drawing of Pythagoras
Image is copyrighted and not owned by Thinkark in any way, no profit will be made from this article. Will remove upon request
The Socratic Method
Socrates (469-399 BC) has been credited as the founder of Western philosophy.
Unlike his predecessors, Socrates did not record his teachings; instead, he held conversations with his fellow Athenians, challenging their ideas.
His approach, known as the Socratic method, entailed asking probing questions to encourage critical thinking and highlight concepts.
Socrates famously stated;
The unexamined life is not worth living, emphasizing the value of introspection and ethical investigation.
Plato, (a Socrates disciple), largely documented his thoughts, establishing a philosophical tradition that would affect subsequent generations.
Drawing of Socrates
Image is copyrighted and not owned by Thinkark in any way, no profit will be made from this article. Will remove upon request
The Theory of Forms
Plato (427-348 BC), a disciple of Socrates, formed the original Academy of Athens, one of the first institutions of higher learning.
His work delves into a variety of philosophical subjects, including ethics, politics, and metaphysics.
One of his most notable contributions is the Theory of Forms, which holds that the material world is a reflection of a higher reality made up of abstract forms or ideas.
For example, the notion of "beauty" exists in a perfect form, whereas actual manifestations of beauty are imperfect duplicates.In his discourse, The Republic, Plato discusses justice and the ideal state, claiming that justice means minding your own business and not meddling with other men's concerns.
A popular part of the Republic is, The allegory of the cave.
Plato's allegory of the cave is a allegory used in his book Republic to examine the impact of education and the lack thereof on human nature. It is written as a dialogue between Plato's brother Glaucon and his master Socrates, told by the latter.
Plato's metaphor concerns people who have spent their lives confined in a cave, facing a blank wall.
They observe shadows cast on the wall by things passing in front of a fire behind them and assign these shadows names. The shadows are the inmates' reality, yet they do not accurately depict the real world. The shadows represent a part of reality that we may ordinarily experience with our senses. while the objects under the sun represent the true forms of objects that we can only perceive through reason.
Plato famously stated;
I'm trying to think, don't confuse me with facts.
Drawing of Plato
Image is copyrighted and not owned by Thinkark in any way, no profit will be made from this article. Will remove upon request
The Empirical Philosopher
Aristotle (384-322 BC), a student of Plato, made fundamental contributions to logic, biology, ethics, and politics. Unlike Plato, Aristotle valued empirical observation and the study of the natural world. He invented the notion of cause and effect, which identifies four reasons (material, formal, efficient, and final) for why things exist.
Aristotle's ethical theory is based on the concept of virtue as a middle ground between extremes, as he famously stated;
The good for man is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.
His work laid the groundwork for many modern fields, including biology and ethics, and his impact is still felt in contemporary philosophical conversation.
Aristotle reminds us to seek for the truth of who we are to know what we want.
Aristotle famously stated;
Knowing Yourself is The Beginning of All Wisdom
Drawing of Aristotle
Image is copyrighted and not owned by Thinkark in any way, no profit will be made from this article. Will remove upon request
Hellenistic Philosophy
Following the ancient period, Hellenistic philosophy developed, including schools such as Stoicism and Epicureanism.
Epicureanism, created by Epicurus (341–270 BC), believes that pleasure is the ultimate good, yet it promotes modest, moderate pleasures and the avoidance of sorrow. Epicurus famously said;
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you do not.
Stoicism, created by Zeno of Citium (334 – 262 BC), emphasizes that virtue and knowledge lead to a good existence, focusing on self-control and logic.
The Stoics believed in accepting fate and focused on what one could control. Many would follow the teachings of Zeno.
One of them is Epictetus (50-130 AD), who famously said;
It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.
Drawing of Aristotle
Image is copyrighted and not owned by Thinkark in any way, no profit will be made from this article. Will remove upon request
All sayings lead to Greece
Greek philosophy has had an everlasting impact on modern thinking. Its emphasis on reason, ethics, and the quest of knowledge has inspired a wide range of subjects, including science, politics, and psychology.
The Socratic method is still used in educational settings to develop critical thinking, and Plato's thoughts on government are still relevant in modern arguments about democracy and fairness.
Pythagoras theorem is still commonly used today in practical applications of math equations.
Aristotle's empirical approach paved the path for the scientific method, influencing how we view the natural world.
Stoicism has regained appeal, providing practical solutions for dealing with stress and misfortune in modern life.
Almost all quotes that are found in the world of personal development today can be traced back to a more original saying from the old Greek philosophers.
Maybe all roads lead to Rome... But most definitely, all sayings lead to Greece!