The Big Three of Greek Philosophy

THE BIG THREE OF GREEK PHILOSOPHY: SOCRATES, PLATO, AND ARISTOTLE.
Ancient Greek philosophy arose in the 6th century BC and lasted through the Hellenistic period (323 BC-
30 BC). Greek philosophy covers an absolutely enormous amount of topics including: political
philosophy, ethics, metaphysics, ontology (the study of the nature of being, becoming, existence, or
reality), logic, biology, rhetoric, and aesthetics (branch of philosophy dealing with art, beauty, and taste).
Greek philosophy is known for its undeniable influence on Western thought. Although there were Greek
philosophers before their respective births, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are the only three worth
focusing on during this period.
Socrates, born in Athens in 470 BC, is often credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy. The
cloud of mystery surrounding his life and philosophical viewpoints propose a problem; a problem so
large that it’s given a name itself: The Socratic Problem. Since he did not write philosophical texts, all
knowledge related to him is entirely dependent on the writings of other people of the time period.
Works by Plato, Xenophon, Aristotle, and Aristophanes contain all of the knowledge known about this
enigmatic figure. His largest contribution to philosophy is the Socratic method. The Socratic method is
defined as a form of inquiry and discussion between individuals, based on asking and answering
questions to illuminate ideas. This method is performed by asking question after question with the
purpose of seeking to expose contradictions in one’s thoughts, guiding him/her to arrive at a solid,
tenable conclusion. The principle underlying the Socratic Method is that humans learn through the use
of reasoning and logic; ultimately finding holes in their own theories and then patching them up.
Plato, student of Socrates, also has mystery surrounding him. His birth day is estimated to fall between
428 BC and 423 BC. He’s known for being the founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of
higher learning in the Western world. My favorite of Plato’s contributions to philosophy, and the one I’m
going to focus on, is the Theory of Forms. This theory was created to solve two problems, one of ethics
and one of permanence and change. The ethical problem is: how can humans live a fulfilling life in an
ever changing world if everything that they hold close to them can be easily taken away? The problem
dealing with permanence and change is: How can the world appear to be both permanent and
changing? The world we perceive through senses seems to be always changing–which is a pretty clear
observation. The world that we perceive through the mind, seems to be permanent and unchanging.
Which world perceived is more real? Why are we seen two different worlds?
To find a solution to these problems, Plato split the world into two: the material, or phyiscal, realm and
the transcendent, or mental, realm of forms. We have access to the realm of forms through the mind,
allowing us access to an unchanging world. This particular world is invulnerable to the pains and changes
of the material world. By detaching our souls from the material world and our bodies and developing
our ability to concern ourselves with the forms, Plato believes this will lead to us finding a value which is
not open to change. This solves the ethical problem. Splitting existence up into two realms also leads us
to a solution to the problem of permanence and change. Our mind perceives a different world, with
different objects, than our senses do. It is the material world, perceived through the senses, that is
changing. It is the realm of forms, perceived through the mind, that is permanent.
Aristotle, student of Plato, lived from 384 BC-322 BC. At eighteen, he joined Plato’s Academy in Athens
and remained there until the age of thirty-seven. There, he honed his talents of understanding the
world. In his understanding of the world, he wrote his theory of the universals–which I find to be
extremely intriguing. The problem of the universals is the question of whether properties exist, and if so,
what exactly are they. To avoid confusion, a universal is a metaphysical term describing what particular
things have in common, focusing strictly characteristics or qualities. His theory states that universals
exist only where they are instantiated (the concept that it is impossible for a property to exist which is
not had by some object). In simpler terms, he believes universals exist only in things, never apart from
things–differing from his teacher, Plato, on this. Aristotle believes that a universal is identical in each of
its instances. All round things are similar in that there is the same universal, characteristic, throughout.
These three laid the foundations of many of the believes of the rest of the Western world. Philosophers
such as John Locker and Descartes use the theories these brilliant minds brought forth in their own
works. I’m very interested to read your opinions, specifically on the Plato theory.
Difference between Science and Philosophy.

The distinction between philosophy and science is very slim, but there are some differences
nonetheless. Many people assume that science and philosophy are concepts contradictory to each
other, but both subjects share a more positive relationship rather than an animosity.
Science can be defined as a study and understanding of natural phenomena. It is concerned with
empirical data, meaning data that can be observed, tested, and repeated. It is systematic in nature, and
there is a specific course of action used called the scientific method. Science bases its explanation on the
results of experiments, objective evidence, and observable facts.
Philosophy is based on reason; its methods utilize logical argumentation. Philosophy uses arguments of
principles as the basis for its explanation.
Philosophy entertains both subjective and objective types of questions. This means that aside from
finding answers, it also resolves to generate questions. It raises questions and processes before finding
out the answers. Philosophy is mostly involved with thinking and creating knowledge.
The main difference is in the way they work and treat knowledge.
.Science is concerned with natural phenomena, while philosophy attempts to understand the nature of
man, existence, and the relationship that exists between the two concepts.
Science also takes answers and proves them as objectively right or wrong.

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THE BIG THREE OF GREEK PHILOSOPHY: SOCRATES, PLATO, AND ARISTOTLE.

Difference between Science and Philosophy.

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