Definition of Ancient Philosophy

The philosophy, like other disciplines such as history, it can be divided according to its different stages over time. Ancient Philosophy refers to the period of philosophy that ranges from the reflections and contributions of pre-Socratic thinkers in the Vl century BC. C to the IV century of ours with the work of San Agustín. This means that it is an approximate period of 1000 years in the history of philosophy. It must be remembered that when using the term philosophy we are referring to Western philosophy, since the history of Eastern philosophy has a chronology and an approach with other parameters.

Main landmarks and figures of ancient philosophy

The pre-Socratic philosophers were the first to be regarded as philosophers. This group of thinkers is formed by Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes. Each of them proposed an original principle of reality (the arché) and, on the other hand, they opposed the mythical explanations of the tradition above (for this reason it is said that the pre-Socratics represent the passage from myth to logos).

Socrates is a relevant figure of antiquity. He was the initiator of a philosophical tradition based on dialogue and the treatment of issues that affected the community (such as justice, the duty of the citizen or the education). Socrates was Plato's teacher, who in his works reflected on how the way of government ideal. The sophists were contemporaries of Plato and defended relativism and skepticism as approaches to avoid any form of dogmatism. Aristotle studied at Plato's academy but upon reaching intellectual maturity, his approaches were oriented towards other topics and interests (Aristotle is the father of logic as discipline, made the first classification of the animal world, he studied the different forms of government and contributed interesting reflections on ethics and other branches of philosophical knowledge).

Pythagoras and his Pythagorean school represent an important milestone in ancient philosophy, as mathematical criteria and ideas were incorporated into philosophical reflection.

The Socratic tradition had its fruits, as later a series of philosophical schools arose inspired by the teachings of Socrates (the school megárica, cynic or cyrenaica are three significant examples of philosophical traditions that are based on the Socratic spirit).

The fecundity of ancient philosophy is shown in the approaches of Heraclitus and Parmenides on the concept of movement or in the debate Ethical between Epicureans and Stoics.

When Christianity was consolidated as a religion, philosophy was losing prominence and in this context a key figure appeared, Saint Augustine. This Christian thinker proposed a synthesis between Plato's philosophical approach and the truth revealed in the scriptures.

Photos: iStock - gionnixxx / ZU_09