Plato: Hung around with Socrates. The Stoics: Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius were the best known of the Roman Stoics. Metaphysics: The study of being, or what really exists. You’ve probably even asked yourself some of these philosophical questions without realizing that you’re thinking like some of the greatest minds in history! Plato (428/427–348/347 B.C.) Maybe the most famous philosopher of all time. Everything on earth, whether an object (such as a car) or an idea (such as justice), is actually an imperfect copy of … Taught Alexander the Great. How to Understand Plato’s Republic. “The only real ill-doing is the deprivation of knowledge.” Best-known work: The Republic. Plato emphasized the next world; Aristotle concentrated on this one. Plato emphasized the next world; Aristotle concentrated on this one. Socrates was found guilty and sentenced to death for refusing to recognize the gods of the State and for introducing other divinities. What is life? Plato: Hung around with Socrates. Meta means after or transcending. Much of Western philosophy finds its basis in the thoughts and teachings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. If you’re into philosophy, it’s important to become acquainted with some of the early founding philosophers. Plato (428/427–348/347 B.C.) Medical ethics: When is it okay to clone? Aristotle: Student of Plato. Plato For Beginners introduces the reader to Socrates, Plato's mentor whose martyrdom led Plato to formulate a new system of knowledge based on reason. Big ideas: Theory of Forms; platonic relationship. Socrates: Athens’ street-corner philosopher Socrates was the big-city philosopher in ancient Athens. “The only real ill-doing is the deprivation of knowledge.” Best-known work: The Republic. Codified logic. Everything on earth, whether an object (such as a car) or an idea (such as justice), is actually an imperfect copy of … It is the method that Plato adopted for the Republic and for all of his Dialogues (conversations). There's a problem loading this menu right now. Students of philosophy (and, perhaps, students of life) have raised and will continue to raise some of philosophy’s greatest questions: The problems posed by the great philosophers can enhance your experience of the world. Philosophy 101: From Plato and Socrates to Ethics and Metaphysics, an Essential Primer on the Hist… The Philosophy of Shapeshifters, Socks, and Personal Identity, Critical Thinking Skills For Dummies Cheat Sheet. Plato’s theory of justice states that until philosophers are kings or the kings and princes of the world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and wisdom and political leadership meet in the same man, cities will never cease from ill, … Wrote dialogues featuring his teacher. Socrates: Did philosophy using The Socratic Method (duh). Taught the other contender for this accolade, Aristotle. ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Executed by popular demand. Codified logic. The question, What is art?, is an aesthetical one. The world of forms is a very profound and interesting philosophical concept. Robert Cavalier is editor of The Impact of the Internet on Our Moral Lives (SUNY, 2005) and author of Plato For Beginners(For Beginners, 1990) and Democracy For Beginners (For Beginners, 2009). The soul, Plato says, is connected with the world of forms, that is why we can identify the objects in the visible world. Among the earliest philosophers on record. But we do. Plato says that a part of us is permanent, it doesn’t change, and that is the soul. According to Plato, only a philosopher king is suitable to guide a nation. Taught the other contender for this accolade, Aristotle. To be a really great (or even fair-to-middling) philosopher, you need to understand some of the lingo of philosophy. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained, Philosophy 101: From Plato and Socrates to Ethics and Metaphysics, an Essential Primer on the History of Thought (Adams 101), The Tools of Argument: How the Best Lawyers Think, Argue, and Win, What We Think About When We Think About Soccer, Socrates and Plato & Their Essential Tips: for Young Travellers, New Philosophers and Older Searchers (Socrates 4 Today Book 1), Plato único para Dummies (Dummies Cocina) (Spanish Edition), Diabetic Living Diabetes Meals by the Plate: 90 Low-Carb Meals to Mix & Match, Fresh Start Bariatric Cookbook: Healthy Recipes to Enjoy Favorite Foods After Weight-Loss Surgery, Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, Event Planning: Step by Step Guide to Successful Event Planning, Philosophy 101: The “Big Idea” for the 101 Most Important People.