Ten Greek Philosophers Quiz / Test | Philosophy

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This man is an astronomer and mathematician. The theorem bearing his name is a particular case of an inscribed angle theorem.

Answer: Thales of Miletus

One of the first philosophers from the extensive Greek tradition, Thales is recognized for trying to explain the world and the universe via theories and hypotheses, as a precursor to modern science, rather than explaining such phenomena with mythology. Thales of Miletus is one of the Seven Sages of Greece, a title given to seven legislators and philosophers of 6th century BC.

There are two theorems in geometry credited to Thales, and he made several accurate astronomical calculations and predictions.

2. This man is known for a theorem involving triangles.

Answer: Pythagoras

The Pythagorean Theorem is one of the foundational concepts regarding the geometry of triangles. Philosophically, Pythagoras emphasized the interconnected nature of the world and sought to teach how to live in harmony with it. Pythagoras is credited with having discovered that both the morning star and the evening star are the planet Venus.

3. This philosopher was known as "The Obscure" and wrote a single treatise: "On Nature".

Answer: Heraclitus

The moniker "The Obscure" was earned partially due to the paradoxes in Heraclitus' philosophy as well as the style of his writing that involved sentence fragments and word play. A lot of his philosophy dealt with the permanence of change. This idea is expressed well in this quote attributed to him: "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man."

4. This pre-Socratic philosopher was known for a theory of the four classical elements, as well as forces called Love and Strife which interact with these elements.

Answer: Empedocles

According to the ideas of Empedocles, Love acts upon the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) in ways that encourage union, and Strife promotes separation. Empedocles was a vegetarian who believed that all living things were linked spiritually.

5. The 'method' bearing his name involves discourse between multiple people to discuss and learn about a concept.

Answer: Socrates

Socrates is frequently depicted in art and literature, and famous for being executed via forced hemlock ingestion. The Socratic Method is designed to force one to examine one's beliefs, and is commonly used in pedagogy. Most of the information available on Socrates' life and his philosophy is based on the writings of Plato and Xenophon.

6. He is known for formulating an atomic theory of the universe.

Answer: Democritus

A lot of the contributions of Democritus are difficult to ascertain because they're mixed with the ideas of his mentor, Leucippus, in texts about him. None of his writings remain, though he produced a large amount of works in various fields of philosophy and science. Democritus was depicted on Greek currency from 1967-2001.

7. This man established his own school of rhetoric in Athens.

Answer: Isocrates

Isocrates believed rhetoric, the art of persuasion, to be useful in persuading both ourselves and others. Isocrates was considered a sophist, despite the title of his work in which he endeavored to define his educational doctrine: "Against the Sophists". His method of instruction in rhetoric and oratory involved being able to adapt to any situation fluidly and improvise where needed.

8. His cave allegory appears in his Socratic dialogue, "Republic".

Answer: Plato

Plato's "Allegory of the Cave" is meant to present the effects of a lack of education on man's nature. In it, the enlightened man who returns to the cave to help others escape it is met with contempt. It is believed that the entire body of Plato's work is intact from over 2,000 years ago.

9. He started tutoring Alexander the Great after Plato's death.

Answer: Aristotle

Aristotle was a student of Plato and the founder of the Lyceum school of philosophy in Athens. He wrote on topics ranging from science and ethics to music and psychology. Aristotle wrote a treatise called "On Generation and Corruption" and added a fifth element, Aether, to the four elements Empedocles proposed of which all matter is comprised.

10. He wrote "Letter to Menoeceus" and "Letter to Pythocles".

Answer: Epicurus

Epicurus founded the philosophy of Epicureanism, which was, at times, a challenge to both Platonism and Stoicism. Epicurus was a hedonist believing the pursuit of anything that brought pleasure was morally good. To him, philosophy's purpose was to assist in attaining a happy life characterized by peace and an absence of both fear and pain. Epicurus' "Letter to Menoeceus" presents ethical teachings in the style of letters to a student, while his "Letter to Pythocles" mentions meteorological and celestial considerations.

Source: Author Rizeeve

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Ten Greek Philosophers Trivia Quiz

Ten Greek philosophers are listed on the right. Your task is to match them up with the statements on the left that describe each one.

Questions		Choices
1. This man is an astronomer and mathematician. The theorem bearing his name is a particular case of an inscribed angle theorem.		Pythagoras
2. This man is known for a theorem involving triangles.		Socrates
3. This philosopher was known as "The Obscure" and wrote a single treatise: "On Nature".		Heraclitus
4. This pre-Socratic philosopher was known for a theory of the four classical elements, as well as forces called Love and Strife which interact with these elements.		Thales of Miletus
5. The 'method' bearing his name involves discourse between multiple people to discuss and learn about a concept.		Democritus
6. He is known for formulating an atomic theory of the universe.		Epicurus
7. This man established his own school of rhetoric in Athens.		Empedocles
8. His cave allegory appears in his Socratic dialogue, "Republic".		Plato
9. He started tutoring Alexander the Great after Plato's death.		Aristotle
10. He wrote "Letter to Menoeceus" and "Letter to Pythocles".		Isocrates