Chapter 2

Ancient Philosophies and Philosophers

Introduction:
No one knows why philosophy started when it did. However, we have at least a good idea when and how it started. PHILO was born when man began to wonder. It is the struggle of man to answer his question, to satisfy his curiosity. Then, it is with us long before the time of our acknowledged first philosophers

Common Divisions and Traditions of Philosophy

The history of PHILO is usually divided into Western and Eastern philosophy. Western philosophy refers solely to the philosophic traditions of European/American civilizations while; Eastern Pphilosophy broadly subsumes the philosophic traditions of all Asians. These 2 divisions are further subdivided into Ancient, Medieval, Modern, and Contemporary periods.

GENERAL DIVISIONS

WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

EASTERN PHILOSOPHY

The pre-Socratics Naturalism The Ionians The Eleatic school The pluralism The atomism Socratic period The sophists Socrates Methaphysical The sophists Plato Aristotle

Chinese tradition Daoism Confucianism Mozism Legalism Indian tradition Buddhism Hinduism Jewish traadition Judaism

GENERAL DIVISIONS

WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

Ethical Stoicism Epicureansim Skepticism Eclecticism

Religious The Judaic - Alexandrian school The neo-Pythagorean school

GENERAL DIVISIONS

WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

EASTERN PHILOSOPHY

Religious period The neoPlatonic school Scholasticism The dialecticians Enlightenment Humanism

Platonic and Aristotlelian philosophy in Islamic thought. Platonic and Aristotlelian philosophy in Jewish thought.

GENERAL DIVISIONS

WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

EASTERN PHILOSOPHY

Rationalism Empiricism Idealism Kantian criticism Positivism Utilitarianism Pragmatism Existentialism Phenomenology Philosophical hermeneutics The Frankfurt school

No other distinct philosophic thoughts in this period. Basically the continuation of classical philosophies. Rise of Maoism in China Political philosopy Mohandas Gandhi in India

GENERAL DIVISIONS

WESTERN PHILOSOPHY

EASTERN PHILOSOPHY

Cultural theory Poststructuralism Postmodernism Deconstruction Revival of classical realism

Basically the continuation or revival of ancient philosophies most notably Daoism and Buddhism

ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY TIMELINE