Socrates, Plato, Pythagoras and Aristotle... Where to start?

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

Seems like life advice. But I figure I would have a philosophy thread for talk as well. I am contemplating getting into the philosophy founders( in terms of recent years ) I am aware we have more than Greek philosophers, but I want to focus on them to start. 

 

I want to know if it's best to start of with Socrates. I want to avoid Sophist, because Sophist is just jargan. Sophism is just putting on a show, you're all bark and have no bite. I guess you could say Sophist invented pro wrestling and modern politics before they even became a thing. 

 

So where do I start? I would be more in favor of Plato from his description. I know that there are many logical people who put Aristotle on a pedestal, but he sounds like a deist and was really just against judaism from the sounds of it. I want to study these men because we are still questioning them today and in public school, of course they're not going to study these critical thinkers. 

Edited July 25, 2014 by TheMarkz0ne

[XxConfusedUnicornxX 834]

Whenever I hear the name 'Plato' I keep thinking of Atlantis ._.

[Jeric 46,851]

Aristotle ... on a pedestal ... seriously?

 

*slams head on desk repeatedly*

 

Why ... why ... in the name of all that is sacred in philosophy, science, and reason is that man still considered anything more than a footnote

[IceeBrony 251]

Maybe chronological order: Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

Maybe chronological order: Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle

 

This would make sense, since their thoughts go in sequence of commentary as well.

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

Aristotle ... on a pedestal ... seriously?

 

*slams head on desk repeatedly*

 

Why ... why ... in the name of all that is sacred in philosophy, science, and reason is that man still considered anything more than a footnote

Aristotle and Plato from many google headlines are still deemed highly relevant. Plato practically created The Matrix before hollywood did.

This would make sense, since their thoughts go in sequence of commentary as well.

Pythagoras was more into geometry thought, correct me if I'm wrong.

[Jeric 46,851]

Plato yes ... I don't argue his impact, influence, and contributions.

 

 

Aristotle if you only focus on his views about theater and storytelling. Everything else the man was wrong on. I mean, how does Skinner get marginalized in Phycology and Aristotle get lauded?

[Yellow Diamond 7,569]

Aristotle ... on a pedestal ... seriously?

 

*slams head on desk repeatedly*

 

Why ... why ... in the name of all that is sacred in philosophy, science, and reason is that man still considered anything more than a footnote

 

Aristotle did impact Thomas Aquinas and the whole of Thomistic Scholasticism, so it isn't a surprise that he gets a large outlet through derivative sources. (Thomas himself was at times a bit too indebted to Aristotle, but he was not completely and slavishly Aristotelian on all points.)

 

On the whole, the finding of Aristotle's writings in and around the Medieval era is considered a watershed moment for Western philosophy. Even if much of his philosophy and science are dated or outright incorrect, he's often considered the bridge from Platonic schools of philosophy.