Course Title : Introduction to Philosophy (PH1 100)

NOTES
50 Most Influential and Famous Ancient Greek Philosophers and
Scientists
Aeschines (389 BC –314 BC): Greek orator and statesman Aeschines was well
recognized for his orations and speeches and he became a well-known politician in
Athens thanks to his persuasive skills and capacity to arouse folks’ emotions.
Aeschylus (525 BC – 456 BC): Aeschylus was a playwright who is considered one
of the greatest writers in ancient Greek literature. He is known for his plays, which
are still widely studied and performed today.
Anaxagoras (500 BC – 428 BC): Anaxagoras was a philosopher and scientist best
known for his contributions to astronomy and physics. He is credited with
discovering that the Moon reflects sunlight and is also known for his work on the
concept of the infinite.
Anaximander (610 BC – 546 BC): Anaximander was a Greek philosopher who
contributed significantly to astronomy, geography, and philosophy. He is credited
with being one of the first to create a world map and was also well-known for his
ideas on the infinite, which were central to Greek philosophy.
Anaximenes of Miletus (585 BC – 525 BC): Anaximenes was an ancient Greek
philosopher and scientist who lived in the 6th century BCE. He made important
contributions to the fields of astronomy and philosophy. He is known for his
discovery that air has weight and is the foundation of all matter. Additionally, he
also had thoughts on the concept of the infinite, which was a significant concept in
ancient Greek philosophy.
Antisthenes (446 BC – 366 BC): Antisthenes was a student of Socrates and is
considered to be one of the pioneers of the Cynic philosophy, which emphasizes
living a simple, self-sufficient life and rejecting material possessions. He believed
that virtue is the most important thing in life, and that true happiness comes from
self-control and self-discipline.
Apollonius of Perga (240 BC – 190 BC ): Apollonius of Perga was a third-century
BC Greek mathematician and geographer. He contributed significantly to conic
sections and geometric constructions. He was well-known for his work on the
properties of ellipses, parabolas, hyperbolas, circles, spheres, and cylinders.
Apollonius of Rhodes (3rd century BC): Apollonius of Rhodes is best known for
his epic poem “Argonautica” which tells the story of the famous voyage of the
Argonauts. This poem was widely popular and considered as one of the greatest
epic poem of ancient Greece, it was widely read and studied for centuries after its
composition.
Archimedes (287 BC – 212 BC): Archimedes, a Greek mathematician, scientist,
and engineer, made numerous significant advances in the study of mathematics and
physics. Two of his most well-known accomplishments are his work on the lever
concept and the discovery of the buoyancy principle, which helped to explain how
objects can be moved and manipulated using various mechanical devices.
Aristarchus of Samos (310 BC – 230 BC): Aristarchus of Samos was a Greek
astronomer who proposed that the earth and other planets revolve around the sun
and also made important contributions to the fields of trigonometry and astronomy.
Even though his ideas were not widely accepted during his time, they laid the
foundation for later scientists like Copernicus and Galileo.
Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC): Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher from the
4th century BCE, was a student of Plato and a significant figure in Western
philosophy, science, and education. He wrote extensively on metaphysics, ethics,
politics, biology, and logic, emphasizing the importance of observation,
experience, and reason in acquiring knowledge. His philosophy focused on living a
virtuous life, finding balance, and the concept of causality. Aristotle is often
referred to as the founder of formal logic, and his work has had a profound impact
on Western philosophy, science, and culture.
Chrysippus (279 BC – 206 BC): Chrysippus was a philosopher who is known for
his contributions to the field of logic. He is credited with developing the concept of
the syllogism, which is a method of deductive reasoning that is still used today.
Cleanthes (330 BC – 230 BC): Cleanthes was a philosopher who was a student of
Zeno of Citium and the second head of the Stoic school of philosophy. He is
known for his “Hymn to Zeus,” which is a philosophical treatise on the nature of
God.
Democritus (460 BC – 370 BC): Democritus was a philosopher who is known for
his contributions to the development of the atomic theory of matter. He argued that
the world is composed of small, indivisible particles called atoms, which move
through empty space and combine in various ways to form all matter.
Demosthenes (384 BC – 322 BC): Demosthenes was a statesman, lawyer, and
orator who is considered one of the greatest speakers in ancient Greek history. He
is known for his powerful and eloquent speeches, which were instrumental in
shaping the political landscape of ancient Greece.
Diogenes (412 BC – 323 BC): Diogenes of Sinope was a philosopher who is
known for his contributions to the field of ethics. He is known for his concept of
“cosmopolitanism,” which holds that all people are equal and should treat each
other with respect and kindness.
Dionysius of Halicarnassus (1st century BC): Dionysius of Halicarnassus was a
historian and literary critic who is known for his contributions to the fields of
history and literature. He is known for his “Roman Antiquities,” which is a history
of Rome from its foundation to the end of the Roman Republic.
Empedocles (490 BC – 430 BC): Empedocles was a philosopher and scientist who
is known for his contributions to the fields of physics and biology. He is credited
with discovering the concept of the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) and is
also known for his work on the concept of the infinite.
Epictetus (55 AD – 135 AD): Epictetus was a philosopher who is known for his
contributions to the field of ethics. He taught that philosophy is a way of life
through self-discipline, and not simply a theoretical discipline. To Epictetus, all
external events are beyond our control; we should accept whatever happens calmly
and dispassionately.
Epicurus (341 BC – 270 BC): Epicurus was a philosopher who is known for his
contributions to the field of ethics. He was a hedonist and known for his idea of the
“good life,” which emphasizes the importance of pleasure and the avoidance of
pain.
Eratosthenes (276 BC – 194 BC): Eratosthenes was a mathematician, geographer,
and astronomer who is known for his contributions to these fields. He is credited
with being the first to accurately measure the circumference of the Earth and is
also known for his work on the concept of the infinite.
Euclid (300 BC): Euclid was a great mathematician who is known for his work on
geometry, including his famous book “The Elements,” which is still considered a
classic in the field.
Galen (129 AD – 216 AD): Galen was a physician and philosopher who made
important contributions to the fields of anatomy and medicine. He is known for his
work on the structure and function of the human body, as well as his contributions
to the development of the scientific method.
Gorgias (483 BC – 375 BC): Gorgias was a philosopher and rhetorician who is
known for his contributions to the fields of philosophy and rhetoric. He is known
for his “Encomium of Helen,” which is a defense of Helen of Troy, and his “On
Not-Being,” which is a philosophical treatise on the concept of reality.
Heraclitus (535 BC – 475 BC): Heraclitus was a philosopher who is known for
his contributions to the field of metaphysics. He is known for his idea that the
world is in a constant state of change and that everything is in a state of flux.
Hero of Alexandria (310 BC– 230 BC): Hero of Alexandria was a mathematician
and engineer who was well-known for developing Hero’s formula, a method for
calculating the area of a triangle, as well as his work on steam engines and
automata. He was a pivotal figure in mathematics and engineering history.
Hipparchus (190 BC – 120 BC): Greek astronomer Hipparchus was also a
geographer and mathematician. Although he is credited with founding
trigonometry, he is most remembered for accidentally finding the precession of the
equinoxes.
Hippocrates (460 BC – 377 BC): Hippocrates was a physician who is considered
the father of modern medicine. He is known for his work on the concept of the
natural healing process and the importance of a healthy lifestyle in maintaining
good health.
Homer (born 8th century BC): Homer was a Greek poet who is credited as the
author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, two epic poems that are foundational works of
ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the most revered and
influential authors in history.
Hypatia (360 AD – 415 AD): Hypatia was a philosopher, mathematician, and
astronomer who made important contributions to these fields. She was the first
woman to make significant contributions to the study of mathematics and is known
for her work on the concept of conic sections.
Isocrates (436 BC – 338 BC): Isocrates was a Greek rhetorician and public speaker
who lived in the fourth century BC. His speeches and orations were well-known,
and many of them have been preserved to this day. He placed a great focus on civic
engagement and education, and his ideas are still widely used today.
Leucippus (5th century BC): Leucippus was a philosopher who is known for his
contributions to the development of the atomic theory of matter. He argued that the
world is composed of small, indivisible particles called atoms, which move
through empty space and combine in various ways to form all matter.
Nicomachus (60 AD – 120 AD): Nicomachus was a mathematician and musician
who is known for his contributions to the fields of mathematics and music theory.
He is known for his work on arithmetic and his “Introduction to Arithmetic,”
which is a mathematical textbook that is still used today.
Pappus of Alexandria (290 AD – 350 AD): Greek mathematician Pappus of
Alexandria made significant contributions to mathematics, particularly in the fields
of projective geometry and hexagon theory. He also published the “Collection,” a
well-known mathematical treatise that included chapters on geometry, physics, and
arithmetic.
Parmenides (515 BC – 450 BC): Parmenides was a philosopher who is known for
his contributions to the fields of metaphysics and logic. He is known for his
argument that change is an illusion and that reality is a single, unchanging whole.
Pericles (495 BC – 429 BC): Pericles was a Greek politician and general during the
Golden Age of Athens. He was prominent and influential in Athenian politics,
particularly between the Greco-Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian War, and was
acclaimed by Thucydides, a contemporary historian, as “the first citizen of
Athens”.
Philodemus (110 BC – 40 or 35 BC): Philodemus was an ancient Greek
philosopher who was a member of the Epicurean school of philosophy, which
emphasized the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain as the goal of life. He
wrote extensively on the topic and his works are important sources of knowledge
on Epicurean philosophy.
Plato (427 BC – 347 BC): Plato, an ancient Greek philosopher from Athens, was a
student of Socrates and a key figure in Western philosophy. He is known for his
theory of Forms, which suggests that eternal, abstract entities exist beyond the
physical world and are the true objects of knowledge. Plato also believed in the
concept of the philosopher-king and wrote extensively on the nature of justice. He
founded the Academy in Athens, one of the first institutions of higher learning in
the Western world, and his ideas continue to be studied and debated today.
Pythagoras (570 BC – 495 BC): Pythagoras was a philosopher and mathematician
who is known for his contributions to the fields of mathematics and philosophy. He
is credited with discovering the Pythagorean theorem, which is a fundamental
principle in geometry.
Socrates (469/470 BC – 399 BC): Socrates is famous for the Socratic method, a
form of argumentative dialogue based on asking and answering questions. He
believed that by questioning assumptions and beliefs, people could arrive at a
deeper understanding of truth and wisdom. He also thought that knowledge and
virtue were closely linked, and that the pursuit of knowledge and self-examination
were essential to a good life. Socrates was known for his critical views of Athenian
society and politics, and he was sentenced to death in 399 BCE. Despite his death,
his ideas and teachings continued to influence later philosophers such as Plato and
Aristotle, and he is remembered as a champion of reason, ethics, and the pursuit of
knowledge.
Sophists (5th century BC): The Sophists were a group of philosophers who were
known for their emphasis on the practical application of knowledge and their
skepticism about the existence of absolute truth. They were influential in the
development of rhetoric and are known for their contributions to the fields of
ethics and politics.
Sophocles (496 BC – 406 BC): Sophocles was a playwright and poet who is
considered one of the greatest writers in ancient Greek literature. He is known for
his plays, which are still widely studied and performed today.
Sotion of Alexandria (2nd century BC): Sotion was a philosopher who is known
for his contributions to the field of ethics. He is known for his “Succession of
Philosophers,” which is a history of Greek philosophy.
Strato of Lampsacus (335 BC – 269 BC): Aristotle’s pupil Strato of Lampsacus
went on to lead the Peripatetic school after finishing his studies. He is renowned
for his contributions to natural philosophy, physics, and the interaction of the mind
and body, as well as for stressing the value of experimentation and observation in
the natural sciences.
Thales (624 BC – 546 BC): Thales of Miletus is widely considered one of the first
Western philosophers. He believed that everything in the world was made of water
and made significant contributions to geometry, astronomy, and philosophy. He is
credited with being the first to predict a solar eclipse and is also known for his
work on the concept of the infinite.
Theon of Alexandria (4th century AD): Theon of Alexandria was a mathematician
and astronomer who is known for his contributions to these fields. He is known for
his work on mathematics and his commentary on Euclid’s “Elements,” which is
still used today as a standard textbook on geometry.
Theophrastus (371 BC – 287 BC): Theophrastus was an ancient Greek philosopher
and scientist who studied under Aristotle and later led the Peripatetic school. He
made significant contributions to botany, natural history, ethics, politics, logic and
the study of character.
Xenophon (430 BC – 354 BC): Xenophon lived in Athens, was a student of
Socrates, and is known for his writings on history, politics, philosophy, and
military tactics. He also wrote on topics such as ethics, politics, and economics,
advocating for good governance and ethical leadership. Xenophon is known for his
“Anabasis,” which is a history of the Greek campaign against the Persians, and his
“Memorabilia,” which is a collection of conversations with Socrates.
Zeno of Citium (334 BC – 262 BC): Zeno of Citium was a philosopher who is
known for his contributions to the field of ethics. He is the founder of the Stoic
school of philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of living in accordance
with reason and virtue.
Zeno of Elea (490 BC – 430 BC): Zeno of Elea was a philosopher who is known
for his contributions to the fields of mathematics and philosophy. He is known for
his paradoxes, which challenged the concept of motion and are still debated by
philosophers today.