Best of the Best: Teachers Trivia Quiz

Answer: Socrates

Socrates was a teacher in ancient Athens, however, he refused to take money from his students and criticized those teachers who did. Consequently, he and his family lived in poverty. He never claimed to know all the answers; instead, he would ask his students a series of questions to help them learn about their own beliefs and values. Sometimes after being questioned his students would have to admit that they might need to adjust their opinions. Socrates taught that "an unexamined life is not worth living" and it was important to "know thyself".

He did not leave behind any writings, but his students, such as Plato, immortalized their teacher. The Socratic Method, his way of asking his students questions, is still used by teachers today.

Answer: Alcuin of York

Alcuin of York was the leading teacher in the court of Charlemagne; he was not only in charge of educating the king's sons and daughters, but also the king himself. The scholars that became part of Charlemagne's court were responsible for the time of learning known as the Carolingian Renaissance, and Alcuin was the leading scholar of the period.

He is credited with inventing cursive script, which allowed for the faster copying of manuscripts, was the writer of several books, including one on grammar, and set up a school at Charlemagne's palace at Aachen, which was used as a model for other schools for centuries.

Answer: Aristotle

Aristotle was a student of Plato who was a student of Socrates. He opened a school called the Lyceum in ancient Athens, and was known for walking with his students as he taught. Much has been written about his most famous student - Alexander the Great. Of his teacher Alexander once said that even though his father had given him life, Aristotle taught him how to live well. One of Aristotle's greatest interests was biology; his method of describing living things based on their similarities and difference led to the modern system of classification in biology that is used today. Aristotle also spent quite some time studying the governments of the various Greek city-states. Even though he was Athenian-born, he believed that democracy was the worst form of government; he thought that some sort of constitutional government would be best, led by a person who was chosen to rule by virtue of his goodness and commitment. Perhaps his teaching of Alexander produced such a leader? Unfortunately, Alexander's life was cut short before he could show how he would govern those he conquered.

Answer: Confucius

Confucius is considered to be one of the most influential teachers in the history of the world. In fact, he may well have been the first private teacher in China. According to the tradition of his time, education was only available to the wealthy, and was under the guidance of government officials. Confucius welcomed both rich and poor into his school, saying "My teachings are for everyone, without distinction". So, what did Confucius teach? The valued traditions of China, including honest, humaneness, propriety, wisdom, and fidelity. That one should be judged by society by his qualities rather than his inherited status. To respect others and live by the Golden Rule. Respect for all regardless of their place in the social order. And more.

While the "Analects" were compiled after his death, they are considered to contain his teachings - teachings that continue to have meaning in the world today.

Answer: Roger Bacon

When Roger Bacon was thirteen years old he became a student at Oxford University. He earned his Master's Degree, becoming an expert on Aristotle and a proponent of the scientific method. He continued as a teacher there until, at the age of twenty-two, he was invited to lecture at the University of Paris about Aristotle's ideas. Six years later he returned to Oxford, where he began to focus his attention on optics, alchemy, and mathematics, eventually joining the Franciscan Order. Remembered as "Doctor Mirabilis", or "wonderful teacher", Bacon's "Opus Maius" is considered to be his most important work; it was written after Pope Clement IV asked for an explanation of his studies and conclusions.

Answer: Irnerius

Born in Bologna, Italy, Irnerius taught jurisprudence, the study of law, in Rome before returning to his hometown to teach at the prestigious university. The rediscovery of the law code of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, " Corpus Juris Civilis", prompted a renewed interest in legal affairs. Irnerius founded the School of Glossators (people who annotated law codes) in the 1080s.

As was the case in medieval universities in general, Irnerius would read a section of text, his students were expected to copy it, and then he would give his interpretation and explanation.

Many of his writings, such as "Formularium tabellionum" and "Quaestiones", are no longer in existence.

Answer: Aryabhatta

Aruabjatta studied and also taught at Nalanda University, which was located near present-day Patna, India. When he was twenty-three years old, Aryabhatta wrote "Âryabhaṭîya", which is his only work that has survived to modern times. A commentary on several topics in mathematics and astronomy, the "Âryabhaṭîya" discusses topics such as the heliocentric theory, and estimates the circumference of the earth within 67 miles of being correct.

In mathematics, in addition to his use of place numbers and correct calculations of pi, his work is said to have influenced the beginning of trigonometry.

Answer: Hypatia

The daughter of a respected mathematician, Theon of Alexandria, Hypatia taught astronomy and philosophy at a school called the Mouseion (not to be mistaken for THE Mouseion that had already ceased to exist). A Neoplatonist, she lectured on the writings of Plato and Aristotle; it was reported that sometimes she would walk through Alexandria and give public lectures. Socrates of Constantinople, a historian of the time, said that students traveled great distances to learn from Hypatia, and another, Philostorgius, claimed that her ability far exceeded her father's.

Although many of her works are no longer in existence, it is known that she wrote numerous essays about mathematics; many of her writings were editorials in response to what other mathematicians had already published, as was the practice of her time.

Her best known commentaries included those on Diophantus's "Arithmetica" and Ptolemy's "Almagest", which are believed to have been written to help her students learn difficult topics.

Answer: William of Ockham

A Franciscan friar, William of Ockham attended the University of Oxford to earn a degree in theology. Although there is no evidence that he actually earned a master's degree, it is know that he apparently worked toward such a degree and lectured at Oxford from 1317-1319.

The next few years of his life are debated today among historians; some believe that he was called to Avignon on charges of heresy as his writings and teachings were controversial, and others believe that he may have been teaching in Avignon when charged with heresy.

A prolific writer of essays concerning religion, politics, and philosophy, many of William of Ockham's works still exist today. His political writings about limited government control and against absolute monarchy are said to have influenced early proponents of democratic ideas.

He is also known for Ockham's Razor, which said that when presented with a problem that had several possible solutions, the simplest solution should be applied. While there are opponents of the theory, there are also those who believe that it at least provides a starting point.

Answer: Muhammad ibn Zakariyâ Râzî (Al-Razi)

Although Al-Razi is known for contributions in many different fields, his work in medicine greatly influenced knowledge in the Middle East and Europe during the Middle Ages; his texts, "On Surgery" and "A General Book on Therapy" were an important part of the medical curriculum in European universities for centuries.

Not only did he further his discoveries by teaching, he also wrote numerous medical textbooks, including a 23 volume set which focused on women's health and childbearing, and eye surgery.

As a physician, he was known for treating all irregardless of their ability to pay; he was also a prolific author, writing books on pharmacology, alchemy, and philosophy.