1. Pre-Socratic Philosophy (6th-5th Centuries BCE):
* This era is characterized by the early Greek thinkers who grappled with fundamental questions about the nature of reality. Pre-Socratic philosophers such as Thales, Pythagoras, and Heraclitus sought explanations for the world around them, leading to the development of diverse cosmological theories.
2. Socrates (470-399 BCE):
* Socrates is widely regarded as the father of Western philosophy. He focused on the pursuit of knowledge and virtue, engaging in dialogues with fellow citizens to critically examine ideas and reveal the contradictions in people's beliefs.
3. Plato (428-348 BCE):
* Plato was Socrates' student and is known for his Theory of Forms, positing that there exists an ideal world of unchanging forms that are the real essence of things. Plato also founded the Academy, one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in Athens.
4. Aristotle (384-322 BCE):
* Aristotle, a student of Plato, made substantial contributions to various branches of knowledge. He developed a systematic approach to reasoning, formal logic, and categorized the different natural sciences. Aristotle's works covered ethics, politics, metaphysics, and many other areas.
5. Hellenistic Philosophy (4th-1st Centuries BCE):
* After the death of Alexander the Great, Hellenistic philosophy emerged in Alexandria and other Mediterranean regions. Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Skepticism were prominent philosophical schools during this time.
Western philosophy continued to evolve throughout the Middle Ages, influenced by Christianity, Jewish philosophy, and Islamic philosophy. Later periods witnessed influential movements like Renaissance humanism, the Enlightenment, and modern philosophy, further enriching the depth and breadth of Western philosophical thought.