Socrates, Plato and Aristotle

Paper Summary:

The paper examines the similarities present in the beliefs of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. The paper looks particularly at their logic and argumentation, their views towards knowledge and how best to acquire it, what love signifies for them and their definitions of existence. The paper shows how while the similarities between the three are significant, Aristotle appears to be the non-conformist in the group in some important respects.

From the Paper:

"About Socrates' logic and argumentation many things can be said. For one thing, it appears as though he proceeds from generally-accepted facts to general conclusions based upon those facts. Like Plato, it appears as though Socrates believes that real knowledge could not be achieved through the human senses but only through philosophical inquiry into metaphysical items. By comparison, Plato viewed logic (and, within that, argumentation) as being similar to a mathematical proof inasmuch as the terms being used to arrive at a higher state of understanding must be clearly defined and the procedures by which one may define terms and/or deconstruct "figures" - so that the relations between their parts may be clearly established - must be clearly defined, as well (White 2002; please see Hogben 1999)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Cohen, S.M. (2002). The "one over many" argument. Retrieved October 6, 2006, from <http://faculty.washington.edu/smcohen/320/1ovrmany.htm>
• Hodges, Miles H. (2000). Aristotle. Retrieved October 6, 2006, from <http://www.newgenevacenter.org/biography/aristotle2.htm>
• Hogben, Lancelot. (1999). Mathematics for the million: How to master the magic of numbers. Woodbridge: Merlin Press Limited.
• Hooker, Richard. (1996). Greek philosophy: Aristotle. Retrieved October 6, 2006, from <http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/ARIST.HTM>
• Kemmerling, Garth. (2001). Aristotle: Logic. Philosophy Pages. Retrieved October 6, 2006, from <http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/2n.htm#causes>

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