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| | A list of eminent philosophers which may help you when considering a candidate for nomination.
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Thales (c.585 BC) - Everything is made of water
Pythagoras (c.570-495 BC) - The universe is underpinned by mathematics
Heraclitus (c.535-475 BC) - Everything changes, fire is the basic matter of the universe
Parmenides (c.510-450 BC) - Nothing changes, change and motion are illusions of the senses
 Confucius (6th / 5th century BC) – Founder of Confucianism; the highest moral ideal is jen (humanity or goodness) which is achievable by all; the rites and traditions of society are to be followed but not without question.
Gorgias (c.485-380 BC) - founding Sophist; believed there is no truth, only argument; mastered the art of rhetoric
 Socrates (469-399 BC) Said "All I know is that I know nothing" and yet was prepared to die for his beliefs. Saw philosophy as the pursuit of moral good.
Democritus (460-370 BC) - Conceived the atomic theory of matter
 Plato (427-347 BC) - The father of Western philosophy; most famous for his theory of The Forms.
 Aristotle (384-322 BC) - The first scientist; emphasised direct observation of nature and believed that theory should follow fact. Hugely influential on Islam, Christianity and Judaism; also tutored Alexander the Great.
 Epicurus (341-271 BC) - All sensations are true; pleasure is our natural goal.
Zeno of Citium (335-263 BC) - founder of stoicism; pointed out that humans have two ears and one mouth so should listen more than they speak.
Seneca (4BC-65AD) - Archetypal Roman Stoic and tutor to Emperor Nero; believed philosophy was for the edification of the soul.
 Marcus Aurelius (121-180) Emperor and Philosopher; his Meditations reveal a man applying philosophy to the highest office in the Roman world.
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