SEVEN SAGES, AND

THE DAWN OF
PHILOSOPHY
Sit Dolor Amet
Ancient philosophy: (7th Century B.C.- 5th
Century A.D.)
◦ Ancient philosophy, spanning from the 7th century B.C. to the 5th century A.D., is a rich and influential period in the history
of philosophical thought. Here’s a brief overview of some key figures and developments during this era:
Pre-Socratic Philosophers (7th-5th Century
B.C.):
◦ This period saw thinkers like Thales, Anaximander, and Heraclitus, who were concerned with the nature of the universe and
the fundamental principles (archê) underlying it. They laid the groundwork for metaphysical and cosmological inquiries.
Socratic Philosophy (5th Century B.C.
◦ Socrates, as mentioned earlier, was a pivotal figure in ancient philosophy. He focused on ethics, moral virtues, and the
examination of one’s beliefs through the Socratic method of questioning.
Plato (427-347 B.C.
◦ A student of Socrates, Plato founded the Academy in Athens. His philosophical works, including dialogues like “The
Republic,” explored topics such as ethics, politics, epistemology, and the theory of forms.
Aristotle (384-322 B.C.
◦ A student of Plato, Aristotle made significant contributions to nearly every area of philosophy. His works covered topics like
metaphysics, ethics, logic, biology, and politics. Aristotle’s systematic approach had a profound influence on Western thought.
Hellenistic Philosophy (3rd Century B.C.-2nd
Century A.D.
◦ This period includes schools like Epicureanism, Stoicism, and Skepticism. Epicureans sought pleasure and tranquility as the
highest good, Stoics emphasized virtue and rationality, while Skeptics doubted the possibility of certain knowledge.
Neoplatonism (3rd Century A.D.
◦ Neoplatonism, led by philosophers like Plotinus, blended elements of Plato’s thought with mysticism and metaphysical
speculations. It had a profound impact on later Christian and Islamic philosophy.
Early Christian Philosophy (2nd Century
A.D. onward
◦ Figures like St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas integrated Christian theology with the philosophical heritage of Plato and
Aristotle, contributing to the development of Christian philosophy.
 Seven Savages

Seven Sages (7th Century B.C.) • The Seven

Sages were a group of early Greek philosophers, statesmen, and
lawgivers known for their wisdom and aphorisms. They include
figures like Thales, Solon, and Bias.
Pre-Socratic Philosophers (7th - 5th Century
B.C
◦ Pre-Socratic philosophers were thinkers who lived before Socrates and focused on cosmology and the fundamental nature of
reality. Notable figures include Thales, Anaximander, Heraclitus, and Parmenides.
Socratic Philosophy (5th - 4th Century B.C.
◦ This period is centered around Socrates, who emphasized ethics and moral philosophy. Plato and Xenophon were among his
prominent students and recorded his dialogues and ideas.
Hellenistic Philosophy (3rd Century B.C. - 3rd
Century A.D.)
◦ Hellenistic philosophy encompasses schools like Epicureanism (founded by Epicurus), Stoicism (associated with Zeno of
Citium and later figures like Epictetus and Seneca), and Skepticism (with figures like Pyrrho and Sextus Empiricus
Roman Philosophy (1st Century B.C. - 5th
Century A.D.
◦ Roman philosophy adopted and adapted Greek philosophical traditions. Key Roman philosophers include Cicero, Seneca,
Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Plotinus (who was of Roman descent and a prominent figure in Neoplatonism
Medieval Philosophy (6th - 16th Century)
◦ Early Medieval Philosophy (6th - 9th Century): During this period, Christian philosophers like Augustine of Hippo and
Boethius integrated Christian theology with the works of Plato and Aristotle. The focus was often on issues of faith and
reason.
Scholasticism (11th - 17th Century
◦ Scholastic philosophers, including figures like Thomas Aquinas, John Duns Scotus, and William of Ockham, engaged in
intense debates, particularly within the Christian tradition. They explored the relationship between faith and reason and made
significant contributions to metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology.
Golden Age of Muslim Philosophy (9th - 13th
Century)
◦ Early Muslim Philosophy: This era saw the translation of Greek philosophical works into Arabic, which became the
foundation for Islamic philosophy. Thinkers like Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, and Avicenna (Ibn Sina) blended Greek philosophy,
particularly Aristotle and Plato, with Islamic theology
Illuminationist Philosophy:
◦ Figures like Suhrawardi developed a unique philosophical system known as Illuminationism, emphasizing intuitive
knowledge and the inner vision of reality.
Averroism
◦ Averroes (Ibn Rushd) was a prominent philosopher who commented extensively on Aristotle. His interpretations, known as
Averroism, had a significant influence on medieval Christian scholastics.
Influence on Europe
◦ The works of Muslim philosophers were translated into Latin in the 12th and 13th centuries, contributing to the revival of
classical learning in Europe during the High Middle Ages.
Made by Atiqullah Faizi