Great Philosophers

Socrates (c. 469–399 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher from Athens, widely regarded as one of the founders of Western philosophy.

The Socratic method (elenchus) — a form of cooperative dialogue using questions and answers to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas.

Socrates believed that written words could not adequately convey philosophical truth; he preferred live dialectical conversation where ideas could be tested in real time.

It expresses Socratic ignorance — the idea that true wisdom begins with recognizing the limits of one's own knowledge.

He was sentenced to death by an Athenian jury in 399 BCE and executed by drinking hemlock, after being convicted of impiety and corrupting the youth.

Socrates held that all wrongdoing is the result of ignorance — if a person truly knows what is good, they will necessarily do it.

A text by Plato recording Socrates' defense speech at his trial, in which he argues that the examined life is the only life worth living.

Plato (c. 428–348 BCE) was a student of Socrates and founder of the Academy in Athens, one of the first institutions of higher learning in the Western world.

The theory that non-material abstract Forms (such as Beauty, Justice, Equality) represent the most fundamental reality, and physical objects are imperfect copies of these Forms.

A metaphor from Plato's Republic illustrating how most people perceive only shadows of reality, while the philosopher ascends to knowledge of the true Forms.

Plato's Republic explores justice, the ideal state, and the philosopher-king — arguing that the best rulers are those who understand the Form of the Good.

Reason (logistikon), Spirit (thumoeides), and Appetite (epithumetikon), each corresponding to a class in the ideal city.