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. | Socrates.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. | 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. | Marcus Aurelius (121-180) Emperor and Philosopher; his Meditations reveal a man applying philosophy to the highest office in the Roman world. |