Plato, Socrates and Aristotle

Great Thinkers of Ancient Greece: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

Philosophy is the study of ideas about life, knowledge, truth, and the mind. The word comes from the ancient Greeks. “Philos” means “loving,” and “sophia" means “wisdom.” Ancient Greece had many philosophers. Some of the most well-known philosophers are Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

Socrates is often viewed as the founder of Western philosophy. He was a distinguished soldier, but is most famous as a philosopher. Socrates would often ask people questions about a problem. Based on their answers, he would ask more questions. He usually wouldn’t say his own opinions. Instead, he would keep asking questions to test their answers and ideas. After many questions and tests, the people would eventually come to a conclusion. This way of testing ideas through questioning is now known as the Socratic method.

Plato was a student of Socrates who founded the Academy, a school of philosophy where he delivered lectures to students from all over Greece. In addition to teaching and exploring ideas, Plato wrote down a lot of his ideas. Some of his writings have survived to today. Probably his most famous writing is the Republic. One idea explored in the Republic is about a fair and just government ruled by rulers who are also philosophers.

Aristotle was a student of Plato in the Academy. Later, Aristotle rented space in the Lyceum, a former wrestling school outside of Athens. At the Lyceum he created a place of learning much like that of Plato. He developed a curriculum centered on his own teachings. Aristotle also wrote down much of his ideas. It is believed that he wrote about 200 works. Most of them were probably written while he was teaching at the Lyceum. In his works, Aristotle explored the nature of animals, planets, ethics, politics, and life. Only 31 of Aristotle’s works survive today.

• Read the passage

• and answer the following questions

What is the study of ideas about life, knowledge, truth, and the mind?

• Philosophy

• Wisdom

• Method

• Academy

Which of the following shows the sequence of philosophers as described in the text?

• Socrates taught Aristotle, and then Aristotle taught Plato

• Aristotle taught Plato, and then Plato taught Socrates.

• Plato taught Aristotle, and then Aristotle taught Socrates.

• Socrates taught Plato, and then Plato taught Aristotle.

People can continue to be influenced by Aristotle.

What evidence from the text supports this conclusion?

• "Aristotle was a student of Plato in the Academy."

• "[Aristotle] developed a curriculum centered on his own teachings."

• "It is believed that [Aristotle] wrote about 200 works."

• "Only 31 of Aristotle’s works survive today."

Read these sentences from the text.

'Socrates would often ask people questions about a problem. . . . He usually wouldn’t say his own opinions. Instead, he would keep asking questions to test their answers and ideas. . . . This way of testing ideas through questioning is now known as the Socratic method.. . . In addition to teaching and exploring ideas, Plato wrote down a lot of his ideas. Some of his writings have survived to today. Probably his most famous writing is the Republic. . . .. . . Aristotle also wrote down much of his ideas. It is believed that he wrote about 200 works. . . . Only 31 of Aristotle’s works survive today.'

What can you infer about the influence of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle?

• Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle influenced the people in their time, and they continue to influence people today.

• Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle influenced the people in their time, but they do not influence people today.

• Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle did not influence people in their time, but they do influence people today.

• Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle did not influence people in their time, and they do not influence people today.

What is the main idea of the text?

• Many people consider Socrates to be the founder of Western philosophy, and he usually used a method of questioning to help people come to a conclusion.

• Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are very well-known ancient Greek philosophers, and they have influenced people since their time.

• Plato founded a school of philosophy called the Academy, where he taught Aristotle and other students who came from all over Greece.

• It is believed Aristotle wrote about 200 works in which he explored the nature of animals, planets, ethics, politics, and life.