The OGs of western philosophy were Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
Socrates
Socrates was a question-pest. He was such a nuisance they named “asking way too many questions” the Socratic method. Eventually, he was put to trial for corrupting the youth and put to death by poison.
People say he could have argued his way out but chose not to, to make a moral stand (captured in Plato’s Apology.) Scholars think he’s a real one for that, but given he had a Mrs and some kids, it was kind of a dick move.
Plato
Plato studied under Socrates, and wrote books having pretend conversation with him (Socrates didn’t believe in writing, just yarns) before going on to found the West’s first known learning institution: Plato’s Academy.
Plato suggested we get knowledge from reason (not just our senses). This was revolutionary.
He also wrote The Republic, about how society should be fair, government should be virtuous and everyone should be educated. He proposed a philosopher-king system and thought democracy was dumb. Good intentions, but a bit culty.
Aristotle
Plato’s best student was Aristotle, who studied at the Academy until Plato died. Aristotle was salty he didn’t get named Next Top Philosopher at the Academy so he started his own school. It was in a gymnasium so there was a lot of walking and exercise involved (he called it the Peripatetic School). It was best known as the Lyceum.
This is proof that the walk and talk is a time tested format for good ideas.
Aristotle was a machine who changed the game in maths, science, politics, ethics, biology, and more.
He figured out how to classify biological species, invented logic (if all Xs are Ys and Z is an X, Z must be a Y) pioneered empirical observation, and wrote a defining treatise on ethics and virtue. Prolific.
But he was dark on women, despite Plato teaching women could rule and fight alongside men and should be educated accordingly (Yass Plato.) Aristotle was also keen on slavery. Being a genius and a jerk are not mutually exclusive.
Legacy
Last week, I went to Socrates’ Cave, Plato’s Academy and Aristotle’s Lyceum, expecting all three to be packed - after visiting the Acropolis, which heaves with sweaty tourists.
They were all empty.
Aristotle’s Lyceum has some nice green grass and newly planted olive trees.
The archaeological site of Plato’s Academy features two homeless dudes and an upturned rubbish skip.
Socrates’ cave is, well, a cave, so that seems fair.
Ethics, science, politics and logic all trace back to these guys, walk-talking around Athens between 478 and 322 BC. Now I take selfies in front of rubbish bins on my magic robot.
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