Martin Luther King Jr. o Literature & Art: “Poetics,” “Rhetoric.

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Biography Later Years
• Systematic Inquiry: Continued research and
• Birth: January 15, 1929, Atlanta, Georgia.
teaching at the Lyceum.
• Parents: Michael King Sr. (Baptist minister) &
Death
Alberta Williams King (schoolteacher).
Education • Cause: Generally believed to be natural causes,
possibly chronic illness (digestive disorder).
• Morehouse College (1944–1948): Influential in
shaping his leadership. • Final Years: Died in 322 BCE.
Key Quote
• Crozer Theological Seminary (1948–1951):
Developed his theological perspective. • “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”
Notes
• Boston University School of Theology (1951–1955):
• Aristotle wrote around 200 works; only 31 survive
Completed his Ph.D., deepening his understanding
today, mainly from his time at the Lyceum.
of social justice.
Activism • His student Theophrastus managed and passed
down Aristotle’s writings to Neleus.
• Prominent figure in the 1950s and '60s civil rights
movement. • Emphasized the importance of self-knowledge in
wisdom.
• Advocated for nonviolent resistance and civil
Summary
disobedience. Aristotle is a foundational figure in Western philosophy
• Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of and science, known for his extensive writings and teaching
nonviolence. that shaped various disciplines. His work continues to
Legacy influence modern thought.
• Symbolizes justice, equality, and nonviolent
activism. Plato
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Federal holiday Overview
observed on the third Monday of January,
honoring his contributions. • Renowned philosopher with key dialogues on
ethics, politics, metaphysics, and epistemology.
• Assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis,
• Proposed the Theory of Forms, asserting the
Tennessee, during a sanitation workers’ strike,
leading to nationwide mourning and unrest. existence of perfect ideals beyond the physical
Famous Quotes realm.
1. “If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties • In “The Republic,” envisioned a just society ruled
must become ecumenical rather than sectional…” by philosopher-kings, valuing reason and virtue
o Emphasizes the importance of over democracy.
transcending divisions for global • Founded the Academy, fostering intellectual
harmony. inquiry and attracting thinkers like Aristotle.
2. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice • Central figure in philosophy; his ideas continue to
everywhere…” influence modern thought.
o Highlights the interconnectedness of Key Quote: “Ignorance, the root and stem of every evil”
humanity and the universal impact of • Suggests all moral and societal issues arise from
injustice. a lack of true knowledge.
Key Takeaways • Ignorance acts as both a foundation and a force
• King’s philosophy centered that perpetuates harm and injustice.
on nonviolence and equality. Philosophical Branches
• His education and experiences shaped his Metaphysics
commitment to social justice. • Theory of Forms: Ignorance of ultimate reality
• His legacy continues to inspire movements for leads to misguided actions in the material world.
justice and equality today. • Knowledge is seen as justified true belief,
achievable through reason and inquiry.
Epistemology
Aristotle • Ignorance results in flawed beliefs and poor
Basic Information decisions.
• Full Name: Aristotle • True knowledge is essential for understanding
• Birth: 384 BCE, Stagira, Chalcidice, Greece and making informed choices.
• Death: 322 BCE, Chalcis, Euboea, Greece Ethics
• Parents: Nicomachus (father), Phaestis (mother) • Ethical behavior is rooted in knowledge of the
• Age at Death: 62 years Good.
Education • Ignorance of the true good leads to moral
• Plato’s Academy: Moved to Athens at age 17; failures; individuals may chase immediate
spent ~20 years studying. pleasures without considering consequences.
Early Life and Career Aesthetics
• Ignorance in aesthetics causes people to value
• Post-Academy Travels:
o Traveled to Assos and Lesbos. superficial beauty over deeper truths.
o Married Pythias. • Art can mislead by appealing to emotions instead
o Became tutor to Alexander the Great of reason, diverting individuals from the truth.
(343–336 BCE). Summary of Implications
Middle Years • Politics: Ignorance undermines governance and
• Lyceum: Returned to Athens and founded this societal integrity.
school. • Metaphysics: Evil is a consequence of ignorance
• Contributions: regarding ultimate reality.
o Philosophy: “Metaphysics,” “Nicomachean • Epistemology: Lack of knowledge fosters false
Ethics,” “Politics.” beliefs and misguided actions.
o Science: “History of Animals,” “On the • Ethics: Ignorance obstructs moral judgment and
Heavens,” “Meteorology.” virtuous conduct.
o Logic: “Organon.”
 • Aesthetics: Misunderstanding true beauty leads • His thoughts significantly impacted future
to deception and distraction. philosophers and laid groundwork for
philosophical discourse.
Key Quotes and Interpretations
Diogenes of Sinope “Character is Destiny”
Introduction • Interpretation: A person’s inherent character
• Diogenes of Sinope (412-323 BCE) influences their destiny more than external
o Born in Sinope (modern-day Turkey). circumstances.
o Central figure of Cynicism. • Relation to Social Issues (Corruption):
o His lifestyle and ideas greatly influenced o The integrity of leaders and citizens is
Western philosophy. pivotal in shaping a nation’s future.
Philosophies and Teachings o A strong moral character can mitigate
1. Cynicism corruption, fostering societal progress
o Advocated for living according to nature, and improved quality of life.
free from societal constraints. “The only thing that is constant is change”
o Rejected material wealth and comfort.
• Interpretation: Change is an inevitable part of
o Lived in a barrel in Athens as a symbol of
existence; nothing remains static.
his anti-luxury stance.
2. Rejection of Social Conventions • Relation to Social Issues (Poverty):
o Criticized societal norms and values o Change is a constant in the context of
through provocative actions. poverty; circumstances can improve.
3. Virtue and Self-Control o Education and job opportunities
o Emphasized personal integrity and facilitate escape from poverty,
independence over societal success. showcasing resilience in adapting to
4. Critique of Wealth change.
o Wealth seen as a barrier to happiness o While change can be challenging, it also
and virtue. brings hope for better futures.
Key Concepts
Cynicism Epicurus: The Philosopher of Happiness
• True happiness arises from natural living. Biography
• Extreme actions to expose societal hypocrisy. • Birth and Death: Born February 341 B.C. on
• Valued self-sufficiency and honesty. Samos; died 270 B.C.
Stoicism • Founder of Epicureanism: Emphasized rational
• Good is found in the state of the soul: wisdom and thought and simple living for happiness.
self-control. • Education: Moved to Athens at age 18 to study
• Advocated for freedom from passions and philosophy; traveled and taught in various cities.
reliance on reason. The Garden
Practices and Demonstrations • Establishment: Founded “The Garden” in Athens,
1. Living in a Clay Pot welcoming men, women, and slaves.
o Demonstrated rejection of luxury and
• Philosophy: Advocated for happiness through
dependence on material comfort.
pleasure (absence of pain) and the importance
2. Public Demonstrations
of moderation, friendships, and self-sufficiency.
o Carried a lantern in daylight searching
Beliefs
for an “honest man.”
o Walked backward as a form of protest. • Atomism: Believed in a universe made of atoms
o Wore tattered clothes. and void, rejecting divine intervention.
o Public urination and defecation to assert • Gods: Acknowledged gods but viewed them as
natural bodily functions. indifferent to human affairs.
Quotes and Teachings • Death: Argued that death should not be feared; it
• “Other dogs bite their enemies, whereas I bite is simply the end of sensation.
my friends to save them.”
• “We have two ears and one tongue, so that we
may hear more and speak less.”
Legacy and Impact
1. Influence on Stoicism Works
o His ideas helped shape Stoic thought. • Literary Contribution: Authored over 300 works,
2. Western Philosophical Traditions mostly lost; fragments survive through later
o His critiques and lifestyle influenced authors like Lucretius in De Rerum Natura.
various philosophical movements. • Legacy: Influenced ongoing discussions on ethics,
3. Cultural Icon happiness, and the natural world.
o Represents the archetype of the Famous Quotes
philosophical rebel. • “Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is
Heraclitus - The Philosopher of Change too little.”
• “Not what we have but what we enjoy constitutes our
General Information abundance.”
• Name: Heraclitus of Ephesus
• Parents: Blyson (Father)
• Born: Circa 540 BCE, Ephesus, Ionia (Modern-
day Turkey)
• Died: 480 BCE
• Lifespan: Approximately 60 years
Biography
• Authored “On Nature,” presenting complex
philosophical ideas.
• Writings are noted for their cryptic nature,
making them difficult to interpret.