A Comparison of Great Scientists in History

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Socrates was an Ancient Greek philosopher who lived from 469-399 B.C. Much of what he knew he learned from another famous Ancient Greek philosopher, Plato. Concerning logic and human behavior in general, “Socrates’ life was inspired by discussion and debate with both the young of Athens and the leading philosophers of his day” (Daintith, Vol. 9 93). He introduced methodical and ordered thinking. Socrates is quoted as having said, “It seemed to me a superlative thing to know the explanation of everything, why it comes to be, why it perishes, and why it is” (Daintith, Vol. 9 93). This summarizes what he sought to discover and understand throughout the entirety of his life. Socrates is a genuine example of the philosophers and scientists in the time Ancient Greece. Like so many others of his time, he sought to understand the universe, why it is, and how it came to be.

The great philosopher Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) was yet another of many astounding Ancient Greek thinkers, among which were Plato and Socrates.

“The Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle possessed and outstanding intellect. His writings - on politics to zoology - spanned all branches of human knowledge. Although his ideals have not always stood the test of time, Aristotle’s approach had a profound influence on later Western and Islamic thought and science.” (Allaby 6)

He was also tutor to Alexander the Great. Like most other scientists and philosophers of his time, Aristotle was concerned mostly with logic and the origins of the universe. He was also highly interested in politics and economics and how the world was managed and kept in order throughout the ages. “Aristotle focused on humankind as the most important beings in the universe” (Franck 16). Aristotle to...

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...and improvements of medicines and anatomy. We have much to thank the many different scientists and philosophers throughout the ages for, including the survival and improvement of the health and knowledge we now possess in our society.

Works Cited
Allbaby, Michael and Derek Gjertsen. Makers of Science. Vol. 1. Oxford University Press New York. 2002.

Daintith, John, ed. The Grolier Library of Science Biographies. Vol. 4. Grolier Educational. Danbury. 1997.

---. The Grolier Library of Science Biographies, Vol. 7. Grolier Educational. Danbury. 1997.

---. The Grolier Library of Science Biographies, Vol. 9. Grolier Educational. Danbury. 1997.

Franck, Irene M. and David M. Brownstone. Scientists and Technologists. Facts On file

Publications. New York. 1998.

Meadows, Jack. The Great Scientists. Oxford University Press, Inc. New York. 1987.

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