Who is Diogenes Laertius in Philosophy
Diogenes Laertius was a Greek philosopher who lived in the XNUMXrd century AD. He is mainly known for his work “Lives and Doctrines of Illustrious Philosophers”, a compendium that brings together information about the main philosophers of antiquity. In this glossary, we will explore the life and thought of Diógenes Laércio, highlighting his main contributions to philosophy.
Life and Historical Context
Diógenes Laércio was born in Laércio, a city in the Lycia region, in Asia Minor. Little is known about his personal life, but he is believed to have lived in Athens for most of his life. The time in which Diogenes Laertius lived was marked by great political and social transformations in Greece, especially after the death of Alexander the Great. These changes had a significant impact on the development of philosophy and influenced the thinking of Diogenes Laertius.
Contributions to Philosophy
Diógenes Laércio is known mainly for his work “Lives and Doctrines of Illustrious Philosophers”, which consists of ten books that range from the first pre-Socratic philosophers to the contemporaries of Diógenes Laércio. This work is an important source of information about ancient philosophy, as many of the original works of the philosophers mentioned have been lost over time.
In addition to his main work, Diogenes Laertius also wrote a number of individual biographies of philosophers, including Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Epicurus. These biographies provide valuable information about the lives and thoughts of these philosophers, helping to preserve their legacy for future generations.
Main Philosophers Covered
In his work “Lives and Doctrines of Illustrious Philosophers”, Diógenes Laércio addresses a wide range of philosophers, from the pre-Socratics to the Stoics and Epicureans. Among the most prominent philosophers mentioned by Diógenes Laércio are:
– Thales of Miletus: considered the first philosopher in history, Thales was one of the seven wise men of Ancient Greece. He is known for his contributions to astronomy and mathematics, as well as being one of the first to seek rational explanations for natural phenomena.
– Socrates: one of the most influential philosophers in history, Socrates was known for his method of questioning, called maieutics. He believed that truth could be discovered through dialogue and critical reflection.
– Plato: disciple of Socrates, Plato was one of the most important philosophers of antiquity. He founded the Academy of Athens and wrote a series of philosophical dialogues exploring themes such as the nature of knowledge, justice, and politics.
– Aristotle: student of Plato, Aristotle is considered one of the founders of Western philosophy. He made important contributions to several areas of knowledge, including logic, ethics, politics and biology.
– Epicurus: founder of the philosophical school known as Epicureanism, Epicurus defended the search for pleasure as the main objective of life. He believed that pleasure could be achieved through moderation and the pursuit of a simple life.
Influences and Legacy
Diogenes Laertius was influenced by several ancient philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. His work “Lives and Doctrines of Illustrious Philosophers” had a significant impact on the preservation of ancient philosophical knowledge, providing valuable information about the thinkers who preceded him.
Diogenes Laertius' legacy can also be seen in the influence his work had on later philosophers. Many scholars of ancient philosophy based themselves on the information provided by Diogenes Laertius to develop their own research and theories.
Final Words
Diogenes Laertius was an important Greek philosopher and historian, whose work “Lives and Doctrines of Illustrious Philosophers” played a fundamental role in preserving the philosophical knowledge of antiquity. His work is a valuable source of information about history's major philosophers and continues to be studied and discussed to this day.
