Ancient Philosophy (700 BC - 250 CE) & Medieval Philosophy (250 - 1000)

Question 1

Plato (The Republic, Phaedo, Symposium):

Answer 1

Plato’s works cover topics like justice, the nature of reality (Forms), and ethics. His dialogues are foundational to Western philosophy.

Question 2

Aristotle (Nicomachean Ethics, Politics, Metaphysics):

Answer 2

Aristotle developed theories on virtue ethics, politics, and metaphysics. His systematic approach to philosophy influenced centuries of thinkers.

Question 3

Socrates (via Plato’s dialogues)

Answer 3

Known for the Socratic method of inquiry, his work on ethics and the examined life is foundational.

Question 4

Epicurus (Letter to Menoeceus):

Answer 4

Focused on ethics and happiness, advocating for a simple, virtuous life free from fear and excessive desires.

Question 5

Pythagoras

Question 6

Confucius

Question 7

St. Augustine (Confessions, City of God):

Answer 7

Augustine’s work bridges classical philosophy and Christian theology, exploring topics like free will, faith, and human nature.

Question 8

Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica):

Answer 8

Aquinas synthesized Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy, especially on issues of ethics, metaphysics, and natural law.

Question 9

Erasmus