Olarewaju Stephen Ayodeji.

Educational Management.
Here are more detailed examinations of each philosopher’s life, key ideas, and critical analyses:

1. Socrates:
- Life: Socrates was born in Athens, Greece. He served in the Athenian army during the
Peloponnesian War and later became a stonemason. He devoted himself to philosophy, engaging
in conversations that explored ethics, politics, and knowledge.
- Key ideas: Socrates’ method (elenchos) involved questioning others to expose contradictions
and arrive at truth. He believed in the importance of self-knowledge, wisdom, and living a
virtuous life.
- Critical analysis: Socrates’ method has been criticized for being overly negative and
destructive, but it has also been praised for promoting critical thinking and intellectual humility.
His emphasis on individual wisdom and virtue has had a lasting impact on Western philosophy.
2. Plato:
- Life: Plato was born in Athens, Greece, to an aristocratic family. He was a student of
Socrates and later traveled extensively throughout the Mediterranean. He founded the Academy
in Athens, one of the earliest institutions of higher learning.
- Key ideas: Plato’s theory of forms posits that abstract concepts like justice, beauty, and
goodness are more fundamental than physical reality. He also developed the allegory of the cave,
which explores the nature of knowledge and reality.
- Critical analysis: Plato’s ideas have been criticized for being overly abstract and
disconnected from practical reality. His views on politics and education have been controversial,
with some seeing him as an elitist. However, his influence on Western philosophy, particularly in
the areas of metaphysics and epistemology, is undeniable.
3. Aristotle:
- Life: Aristotle was born in Stagira, Macedonia. He was a student of Plato and later tutored
Alexander the Great. He founded the Lyceum in Athens and wrote extensively on various
subjects.
- Key ideas: Aristotle’s works spanned metaphysics, ethics, politics, and biology. He
developed the concept of causality, potentiality, and actuality, and his ideas on human nature,
virtue, and politics remain influential.
 - Critical analysis: Aristotle’s views on slavery, women, and non-Greek cultures have been
criticized as problematic. His ideas on biology and physics were later challenged by scientific
discoveries. However, his emphasis on reason, observation, and empirical research has had a
lasting impact on Western philosophy and science.
4. John Dewey:
- Life: Dewey was born in Burlington, Vermont, USA. He studied philosophy and psychology
at Johns Hopkins University and later taught at various institutions. He was a prominent figure in
American intellectual and political life.
- Key ideas: Dewey’s pragmatism emphasizes experiential learning, democracy, and social
justice. He believed that education should focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and social
responsibility.
- Critical analysis: Dewey’s ideas have been criticized for being overly focused on individual
experience and neglecting structural injustices. His views on imperialism and colonialism have
been controversial. However, his influence on progressive education and democratic theory
remains significant.
5. Obafemi Awolowo:
- Life: Awolowo was born in Ikenne, Nigeria. He studied law in London and later became a
prominent politician in Nigeria. He served as Premier of Western Region and later as Federal
Commissioner for Finance.
- Key ideas: Awolowo’s philosophical ideas emphasized African culture, socialism, and
humanism. He believed in the importance of education, social welfare, and economic
development for Nigeria’s progress.
- Critical analysis: Awolowo’s political legacy is controversial, with criticisms of
authoritarianism and regionalism. His economic policies have been debated, with some seeing
them as too socialist and others as too capitalist. However, his commitment to education and
social welfare has been widely admired, and his influence on Nigerian politics and philosophy
remains significant.