Greek philosophy is renowned for its profound contributions to Western thought. Here are some of the most influential Greek philosophers, along with their key ideas and contributions:

1. Socrates (470/469 – 399 BC)

• Key Contributions: Socratic Method, Ethics, Epistemology.
• Philosophy: Socrates highlighted the importance of ethics and the search for knowledge. He is known for his method of questioning (the Socratic Method), which involves asking many deep questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas.
• Legacy: Socrates did not write any texts; his ideas, thoughts and methods were recorded by his students, particularly Plato. He is often regarded as the father of Western philosophy.

2. Plato (428/427 – 348/347 BC)

• Key Contributions: Theory of Forms, Platonic Idealism, Political Philosophy.
• Philosophy: Plato was a student of Socrates and created the Academy in Athens. He proposed the Theory of Forms, which suggests that the material world is a shadow of a higher, unchanging reality. His work “The Republic” spells out his vision of an ideal state governed by philosopher-kings.
• Major Works: “The Republic,” “Phaedrus,” “Symposium,” “Timaeus,” “Meno,” “Phaedo.”

3. Aristotle (384 – 322 BC)

• Key Contributions: Logic, Metaphysics, Ethics, Political Theory, Natural Sciences.
• Philosophy: A student of Plato and tutor to Alexander the Great, Aristotle founded the Lyceum. He made extensive contributions to many fields, including logic (syllogism), biology, metaphysics, ethics (Nicomachean Ethics), and politics (Politics). Aristotle emphasized empirical observation and systematic classification.
• Major Works: “Nicomachean Ethics,” “Politics,” “Metaphysics,” “Poetics,” “Prior Analytics.”

4. Pythagoras (c. 570 – c. 495 BC)

• Key Contributions: Mathematics, Metaphysics, Pythagoreanism.
• Philosophy: Pythagoras is best known for the Pythagorean theorem in mathematics. He believed in the transmigration of souls and the importance of numbers in understanding the universe. Pythagoreanism influenced Plato and other philosophers.
• Legacy: Pythagorean ideas had a significant impact on later mathematical and philosophical thought, particularly in their mystical and numerical interpretations of reality.

5. Heraclitus (c. 535 – c. 475 BC)

• Key Contributions: Doctrine of Change, Unity of Opposites.
• Philosophy: Heraclitus is famous for his doctrine that change is central to the universe, encapsulated in the phrase “You cannot step into the same river twice.” He believed in the unity of opposites and that everything is in constant flux.
• Legacy: Heraclitus’ ideas on change and the nature of reality influenced later philosophers, including Plato and the Stoics.