Ancient philosophy, dating back to the 5th century BC to the 4th century AD, includes Greco-Roman and Eastern schools of thought, such as Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Vedas, and Yoga Sutras. Western philosophy is best known for Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, while Eastern philosophy combines religious and ethical teachings. The study of classical philosophy provides insights into ancient cultures, influences modern legal and judicial systems, and reminds us of the long-standing human pursuit of metaphysical and ethical questions.
Ancient philosophy refers to a broad historical period in which the basic concepts of many modern philosophies were founded and defined. In Western culture, ancient philosophy usually refers to theories of the Greco-Roman period dated between the 5th century BC and the 4th century AD. In Eastern history, ancient philosophy covers roughly the same period, but includes many more schools of thought, including the origins of Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, the Indian Vedas and the Yoga Sutras. Ancient philosophy is still studied today, as most modern methods of philosophical thinking are still based on the principles defined during this long period.
In Western history, the period of ancient philosophy is best known for the teachings of three Greek philosophers – Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Socrates is both the best known and the most elusive of the ancient philosophers, as no texts written by him survive or are even recorded as extant. Instead, Socrates is best known through the extensive writings of his student, Plato, who made his teacher the star of most of his philosophical texts. Aristotle, a later student of Plato, greatly expanded Plato’s teachings and is considered one of the most important voices in the development of European, Judaic and Islamic philosophy.
The tenets of ancient Western philosophy vary greatly depending on the source. The application of logical discourse to philosophical theory is considered an important concept by Socrates and Plato, while Aristotle focused heavily on translating philosophical principles into practical use. The definition and implementation of an ethical code that would lead a person to total metaphysical equilibrium was one of the main goals of most ancient Western philosophy.
In the Middle and Far East, ancient philosophy also developed extensively during the same period. In China, Confucianism and Taoism both developed as a set of rules and beliefs intended to guide personal behavior and the structure of society. Classical Indian philosophy, which considerably predates much Western philosophy, has split into at least eight major disciplines: six centered around beliefs related to Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Throughout Eastern cultures, theories of ancient philosophy often combined religious and practical ethical teachings in a seamless method, while Western philosophy tended to split the two concepts.
The study of classical philosophy remains relevant in the modern era for several reasons. In terms of history, the writings of classical philosophy provide detailed insights into the lifestyles and circumstances of ancient cultures. Scholars of justice and law study ancient philosophy, as most modern legal and judicial systems are based on principles that originated during this rich philosophical period. Furthermore, the study of ancient philosophy serves as a reminder of how long humans have been asking important metaphysical and ethical questions and can provide solace to those seeking answers to these poignant concerns.
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