Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?

If you have gotten this far, I am sure you have. But how much have you really heard?

1. Who was an orator and subject of comedies?
2. Who was “broadly” known for writing dialogues?
3. Who was the author of numerous books and an avid “walker”?

Few people are capable of discerning any real distinction among the three. And yet, while each certainly built on the teaching of his predecessors, their offerings are quite distinct.

1. One man was the teacher of Alexander the Great
2. One the mentor of Benjamin Franklin
3. One the inspiration of Machiavelli

Each a philosopher, each a logician, their thinking and methods would inspire great thinkers a millennium (or two) removed from the agora and Lyceum of Ancient Greece. Their thoughts would survive the dark ages and emerge to a Renaissance in Europe. They founded modern thinking and education.

1. One founded a school (though as an immigrant he held no property)
2. Another created the first academy (as a rich noble is likely to do)
3. The last had an Excellent Adventure (well at least in the movies…)

Today the reach of these philosophers is fully present in the buzzwords of modern intellectuals. From the pedagogy of Socrates and the Metaphysics of Plato to the origins of Analytics, first created by Aristotle some 2500 years ago, their influence remains.

Not bad … for a bunch of ‘Morons’.

For another short riff on a Princess Bride quote click here.

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Originally published at www.linkedin.com.