Classical Philosophers

Thales of Miletus

7th century Greek philosopher, considered the first philosopher, believed that water is the base of life and promoted self-knowledge.

Lao Tzu

6th century Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism, wrote the Tao te Ching, emphasizing balance.

Confucius

6th century Chinese philosopher advocating for respect for elders and ancestor worship.

Anaximander

6th century BC philosopher and student of Thales, believed that the infinite apeiron is the essence of life.

Anaximenes

6th century BC member of the Milesian School, believed that everything is made of air.

Heraclites

6th-5th century BC philosopher who believed all is made of fire and that everything is in flux.

Xenophanes

6th-5th century Greek philosopher and poet of the Eleatic school, known for his monotheistic views.

Parmenides

6th-5th century Greek philosopher of the Eleatic school, who argued that all is the same substance with no true change.

Democritus

The ‘laughing philosopher’ known for developing atomic theory, which posited that everything is made of invisible atoms.

Pythagoras

6th-5th century Greek philosopher known for the concept of the transmigration of the soul and the cult of the triangle.

Protagoras

5th century philosopher and student of Parmenides who claimed that God is unknowable and man is the measure of all things.

Siddhartha

6th century Indian figure who abandoned wealth for enlightenment and developed Buddhism.

Socrates

5th century Greek philosopher known for his method of questioning, considered the gadfly of Athens.

Plato

5th-4th century Greek philosopher and student of Socrates, founder of the Academy and author of The Republic.

Diogenes

5th-4th century Greek philosopher known as a cynic, who lived simply and sought an honest man.

Aristotle

4th century Greek philosopher and student of Plato, who developed zoological categorization and wrote on various subjects.

Xenocrates

4th century student of Plato who became the leader of the Academy and was known for his mathematical theories.

Cicero

2nd-1st century BC Roman stoic philosopher, lawyer, and politician who faced death ordered by Marc Antony.

Seneca

1st century AD Roman stoic philosopher, playwright, lawyer, and politician forced by Nero to commit suicide.

Marcus Aurelius

2nd century AD Roman Emperor and stoic philosopher focused on self-improvement and rationality.

Hypatia

Egyptian mathematician and astronomer linked to the library of Alexandria, killed by a Christian mob.