When did Speusippus live?

Speusippus was born in c. 408 BC and died in c. 339 BC.

Where was Speusippus from?

Speusippus was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era.

What philosophical movements is Speusippus associated with?

Speusippus was associated with Platonism and Ancient Greek Philosophy.

How many quotes are attributed to Speusippus?

There are 5 attributed quotations from Speusippus in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.

Speusippus c. 408 BC – c. 339 BC

Speusippus (c. 408 BC – c. 339 BC) was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era, associated with Platonism and Ancient Greek Philosophy.

Speusippus was a Greek philosopher of Athens, the nephew of Plato, and his successor as scholarch of the Academy from 347 BC to his death in 339 BC. He broke with Plato on the theory of Forms and developed an independent metaphysics in which the first principle is the One and a separate principle of multiplicity, with mathematical entities and soul forming the intermediate levels of reality. His large body of writings, treating mathematics, biology, and ethics, was much used in antiquity but survives only in later citations and the testimony of Aristotle. He is the first known Greek philosopher to identify the good with happiness rather than with the One.

Key facts

Nationality: Greek
Era: Ancient
Movements: Platonism, Ancient Greek Philosophy

Selected quotes

Attributed to Speusippus:

“The One is beyond being and beyond goodness.”
Attributed to Speusippus:

“Mathematics stands between sensible things and the eternal forms.”
Attributed to Speusippus:

“The good lies in the perfection of one's nature.”
Attributed to Speusippus:

“Likeness, not identity, is the relation of things to their principles.”
Attributed to Speusippus:

“Definition by division reveals what each thing is.”

Speusippus by topic

Speusippus on Nature 4 quotes
Speusippus on Truth 4 quotes

Frequently asked about Speusippus

When did Speusippus live?: Speusippus was born in c. 408 BC and died in c. 339 BC.
Where was Speusippus from?: Speusippus was a Greek philosopher of the Ancient era.
What philosophical movements is Speusippus associated with?: Speusippus was associated with Platonism and Ancient Greek Philosophy.
What was Speusippus known for?: Speusippus was a Greek philosopher of Athens, the nephew of Plato, and his successor as scholarch of the Academy from 347 BC to his death in 339 BC.
How many quotes are attributed to Speusippus?: There are 5 attributed quotations from Speusippus in the 1001Philosophers collection, organized by topic.