WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

 Philosophizing existed long before Socrates.

 Pre-Socratic philosophers were mainly Cosmo-centric (focused on the universe and its composition).
 Their main concern was discovering the ultimate meaning and what the world is made of.
 Socrates shifted philosophy towards introspection and self-knowledge.
 The era of Socrates marked a revolution in philosophical inquiry.

SOCRATIC PERIOD

Socrates (469/470-399 BCE) – Father of Ancient Western Philosopher

 One of the most influential thinkers in history; shaped the intellectual world.
 Claimed ignorance – “I know that I know nothing.” His goal was to seek Truth and understand the self.
 Believed in self-examination – Life without self-reflection is meaningless.
 Famous quote: “Know thyself.”
 Happiness comes from understanding yourself.

Socratic Method (Midwifery Method)

 A method of questioning without giving direct answers to help people discover truth on their own.
 Called “midwifery” because Socrates compared himself to a midwife helping others give birth to ideas.
 Always ends with the acknowledgment “I do not know.”
 Described in Plato’s dialogue Theaetetus (150b–151b).

Writings and Legacy

 Socrates wrote nothing himself.

 His ideas are preserved through Plato’s writings (e.g., The Republic, The Apology).

Daily Life and Death

 Socrates spent his days in the Agora (marketplace), asking questions and challenging people’s opinions.
 Believed he had a divine mission from the gods to question people.
 Accused of impiety (not believing in gods) and corrupting youth → sentenced to death at 70.
 Died by drinking poison hemlock.

Beliefs about Divinity and Virtue

 Divine is rational, truthful, and wise, not based on myths.

 Soul is more important than wealth, fame, or power.
 Virtue is the highest good → leads to happiness.
 A virtuous life = moral and righteous life achieved through self-examination.

Famous Quote

 “The unexamined life is not worth living.” (Apology 38a)

 Core idea: The greatest good is knowing oneself and living virtuously.
 Happiness comes from moral excellence, not material things.

Socrates believed true happiness comes from knowing yourself and living a virtuous life. He taught by asking deep
questions (Socratic Method) instead of giving answers. He didn’t write anything, but Plato recorded his ideas. He
valued the soul over wealth, questioned myths, and died for his beliefs. His main teaching: Examine your life to find
meaning and happiness.

Plato (428–348 BCE)

Student of Socrates | Teacher of Aristotle | Founder of the Academy

 Born into a wealthy, influential Athenian family.

 Founded The Academy, the first Western educational institution.
 Wrote in dialogue form, using Socrates as the main character (Platonic Dialogues).
 Famous works: The Apology, The Republic.

Plato’s Philosophical Journey

 Early works: Presented Socrates’ ideas.

 Later works: Developed his own concepts:
Theory of Forms and Matter
Doctrine of Justice and Virtue
Tripartite Theory of the Soul
 Showed intellectual growth, blending Socratic influence with his idealism and political
insights.

Theory of Form and Matter

 World of Matter (Physical World):

 Imperfect, changing, only an imitation.
 World of Forms (Ideas):
 Perfect, unchanging, ultimate reality.
 True knowledge comes from reason, not senses.
 Example: A chair in the physical world = imperfect copy of the ideal chair in the World of
Forms.

Parts of the Soul (Tripartite Psyche)

Plato believed the soul explains human actions and attitudes. Awareness of these parts helps
improve decisions and behavior.

Part Representation in Body Virtue Vice Drive

Rational Brain Wisdom Pride/Sloth Logic

Spirited Heart Courage Anger/Envy Feelings

Appetitive Stomach/Genitalia Moderation Greed Desire

 Appetitive:
Lowest part of the soul.
Seeks sensual desires (food, pleasure, material needs).

 Spirited:
Governs emotions and willpower.
Linked with courage and ambition.

 Rational:
Highest part of the soul.
Represents logic and reasoning, aiming for wisdom.

Key Insight:
  A balanced soul = a just and virtuous person.
 Imbalance → vice and moral corruption.
 Plato’s Growth Compared to Socrates
 Socrates focused on self-examination and virtue.

Plato expanded this with:

Metaphysics (Theory of Forms)
Psychology (Parts of the Soul)
Political Philosophy (Justice in the state and soul)

 This shows Plato’s originality and philosophical maturity while honoring Socratic influence.

Plato believed reality is more than what we see; true knowledge lies in the world of Forms,
understood by reason. He explained human behavior through the three parts of the soul: Rational
(logic), Spirited (emotion), and Appetitive (desire). A good life = balance of these parts under
reason, aiming for wisdom and virtue.

Aristotle (384–322 BCE)

Father of Western Logic | Student of Plato | Ancient Greek Philosopher

Contributions:

Pioneered Formal Logic → foundation of reasoning systems.

Significant ideas in ethics, metaphysics, and self-understanding.

Different from Plato:

Focused on practical and empirical observation rather than idealism.

Saw form and matter as inseparable (contrast to Plato’s World of Forms).

Nature of the Soul (Psyche)

Key Principle:
“All living things have a soul.”

Form = Soul | Matter = Body.

Soul = actuality of the body that has life (gives life and function).

Hierarchy of Souls:

Vegetative/Nutritive Soul (Plants):

Growth, nutrition, reproduction.

Sensitive/Animal Soul (Animals):

Adds motion and perception.

Rational Soul (Humans):

Adds reasoning and intellect → makes man a rational animal.

The Good Life (Eudaimonia)

Definition:

Eudaimonia = flourishing or living the good life.

How to Achieve It:

Discover your purpose (telos) and fulfill it.

Develop your potential through reflection and contemplation.

Found in Book: De Anima → emphasizes self-reflection as a tool to understand oneself.

Key Idea:

Authentic happiness comes from realizing potential and living virtuously.

Virtue and Development

Moral Character = Key to Self-Understanding.

Virtue is formed through HABIT:

Repetition of correct actions → good moral character.

Man as a Social Being:

Self is interconnected with community.

Relationships help shape understanding of the self.

✅ Summary in Simple Terms:

Aristotle believed the soul is the essence of life and exists in all living things in different forms:
vegetative (plants), sensitive (animals), and rational (humans). The ultimate goal of life is
Eudaimonia (flourishing), achieved by fulfilling one’s purpose and developing virtues through
habits. Man is a social being; true self-understanding comes from interaction with others and self-
reflection.

Do you want me to combine Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle into a single comparative reviewer (with
a table and key differences) and then also make a visual diagram for quick recall? Or should I
create flashcard-style Q&A for all three philosophers?
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