Philosophy # 8
Chain of Philosophers: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, continued
Plato
Just about everything we know about Socrates was written down by his student Plato. Like his teacher, Plato believed in
the idea of a philosopher-king to lead the polis. He wrote about how to make a perfect society run by a philosopher-king
in his book The Republic.
It has been very hard for historians and philosophers to know where Socrates’ ideas ended and where Plato’s began.
Plato was not only the recorder of Socrates’ ideas, he was a superb write and teacher, too.
Aristotle
Aristotle was Plato’s star student, whose influence is felt from poetry to politics, from the soul to dreams. He made a
tremendous impact on science and edcaton by creating a way to classify things. His scientific method lasted until the
A.C.E. 1600s.
Aristotle taught at an outdoor gymnasium in Athens, after working out with his students. His star student was young
Prince Alexander of Macedonia (Alexander the Great), who later conquered many lands.
Aristotle was Wrong!!
No one is perfect, including Aristotle. The great thinker once wrote a paper called “In Defense of Slavery.” in it, he
expresses the opinion that some people are born to rule, and others are born to be slaves!
This may have bee a comfortable idea for Aristotle, who was a free man. But don’t you think he would have felt
differently if he were a galley slave, chained to the belly ofa ship, or a household slave, at the mercy of his master’s every
command?
1. Who was Aristotle’s teacher? ______________________________________________________________________
2.What did Aristotle make an impact on? ________________________________________________________________
3. Who was Aristotle’s star student?____________________________________________________________________
4. Who did Plato think should lead the polis? _____________________________________________________________
5. Who recorded Socrates’ ideas? ______________________________________________________________________
6. What book did Plato write? _________________________________________________________________________
7. What opinion did Aristotle express in his paper “In Defense of Slavery?” _____________________________________
8. Would Aristotle have thought differently if he had been a slave? Explain your answer. __________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Homework #17
Due date: _________