INTRODUCTION TO THE

GREEK PHILOSOPHERS
PLATO & ARISTOTLE
 PLATO

• Plato was a classical Greek philosopher who

lived from approximately 428/427 BCE to
348/347 BCE. He was a student of Socrates
and the teacher of Aristotle.

• He founded the Academy in Athens, one of the

earliest institutions of higher learning in the Western
world.
• Plato is best known for his philosophical dialogues,
written in the form of conversations between Socrates and
various other characters.

• His works cover a wide range of topics including ethics,

politics, metaphysics, epistemology, and aesthetics. Some
of his most famous works include "The Republic,"
"Symposium," "Phaedo," and "Phaedrus.“ Plato's ideas
have had a profound influence on Western philosophy and
continue to be studied and debated to this day.
• Plato was born into an aristocratic family in Athens,
Greece. His birth name was Aristocles, and Plato was
likely a nickname meaning “broad” or “wide,” possibly
referring to his physique or his broad style of learning.
He received a traditional Athenian education in grammar,
music, gymnastics, and mathematics before becoming a
student of the philosopher Socrates.

• Plato's philosophical writings are predominantly

presented in the form of dialogues, which often
feature Socrates as the main character.
SOME OF PLATO’S FAMOUS LINES

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools

because they have to say something”.

“The measure of a man is what he does with power”.

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real
tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”
 ARISTOTLE
• Aristotle (384–322 BCE) was a Greek philosopher
and polymath renowned for his contributions to
philosophy, science, ethics, and politics.

• As a student of Plato and a prominent figure in his own rights,

Aristotle's works, including "Nicomachean Ethics," "Politics," and
"Metaphysics," have profoundly influenced Western thought and
continue to be studied and debated by scholars worldwide.
• Aristotle was born in Stagira, a town in northern Greece. He
moved to Athens at the age of 17 to study at Plato’s Academy,
where he remained for about 20 years until Plato’s death. He
then travelled extensively, eventually establishing his own
school, the Lyceum, in Athens.

• Ethically, Aristotle's philosophy revolved around the concept of

eudemonia, or human flourishing, achieved through the cultivation of
virtues and to seek rational activity. His political theories advocated for a
balanced and moderate form of governance, combining elements of
democracy, aristocracy, and monarchy.
• Aristotle's scientific investigations encompassed biology,
zoology, and physics. He classified and studied numerous
species in his works on natural history and made observations
about motion and physics that influenced scientific thought for
centuries.

• Aristotle tutored Alexander the Great and founded the Lyceum,

where he continued his philosophical inquiries until his death.
His vast body of work, encompassing treatises, dialogues, and
lecture notes, has left a mark on philosophy, science, and
education, making Aristotle one of the most celebrated and
enduring figures in intellectual history.
SOME OF ARISTOTLE’S FAMOUS LINES

“Happiness depends upon ourselves.”

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain

a thought without accepting it.”

“Education is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”

 Open notes?
May gi take note Ka haw?

QUIZ
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1. He was a Student of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle?
2. What is Plato’s Birth name?
3. He is a student of Plato.
4. Who founded the Academy in Athens?
5. What school did Aristotle established?
6. In Plato’s philosophical writings who does he often feature as the main character?
7. Who did Aristotle Tutored after he founded the Lyceum?
8. Where was Aristotle born?