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UNIVERSITY OF THE GAMBIA
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

NAME: OUSMAN CONTEH
MAT NO: 2120642
TITLE COURSE: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS
LECTURER: DR SARJA TAAL
SUBJECT: ASSIGNMENT

QUESTION
Describe and discuss the relevance of the idea of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle to the democratic theory and practices today.

Socrates, Plato and Aristotle were all ancient Greek philosophers. They all made great contributions in the field of philosophy, especially about the matter “who should rule?”
Socrates was born in Alopece, Athens in 40 BC and passed away in 399 BC. Socrates did not write any philosophical text. His, life and philosophical; ideas were by his students, notably Plato. Therefore, our discussion about Socrates life, ideas and phrases are purely base on the writings of Plato.
Plato was said to have been born in 427 BC and died in 347 BC. He was a student of Socrates and a tutor to Aristotle. Unlike his master, plate wrote extensively about philosophy he wrote his own book called the republic and founded his own institute of learning called the academy in Athens.
Aristotle was born in 384 BC and died in 322 BC. He was a student of both Socrates and Plato. He was said to be the founding father of the scientific method of research, especially in the world of the philosophy. He was a tutor of Alexandra the great. Aristotle also wrote about Socrates. His writings seem to give a fair account of Socrates. But Aristotle never knew Socrates. (p6). From the time, Socrates was a young man, he search for wisdom and truth. He gained wisdom by asking questions. Many people in Athens thought they had answers, Socrates ask them questions. He argued with them about different topics. He did not think they had the knowledge they claim to have. During this period, there was a group called the sophists in Athens. Sophists were paid to lecture and teach people. (10). they Taught men how to speak well, and influence others. But, they



References: The sytopicon volume 2, an index to great ideas. mortime 1. Adlen 1952 1990 1993. Page 492, 665, 683, 776, 777, 778. Brad Stetson and Joseph G. conti the truth of tolerance: pluralism, diversity and the culture1973. Page 26, 27, 128. Lisa Zamosky, Socrates the Greek in 1963. Page 4, 5, 6, 10 and 11. The Cambridge dictionary of philosophy second edition, genera editor Robert Audi Translate introduction xiii, the republic Plato publish England by Pengium books in 1974 E. barker Greek political theory, Plato and his predecessors 1925 Steven M. Cahn, classics of western philosophy publish by Hackett company 1985 The great b Adler J. mortimen (the syntopicon volume two an index to great ideas in 1952, 1990 and 1993) The great book 1 and 2

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