Xenocratēs (c.395–314 BCE,) also Xenocratēs of Chalcedon, was a Greek philosopher and scientist. A student of Plato, Xenocratēs headed the Academy 339–314 BCE. He is considered one of the founders of the ancient Academic tradition.
Born in Chalcedon on the Bosporus, Xenocratēs arrived at Plato’s Academy between 378 and 373 BCE and later traveled to Syracuse with Plato. After Plato’s death in 348 BCE, Xenocratēs toured with Aristotle to research under the patronage of Hermias of Atarneus (also Aristotle’s father-in-law) in northwest Asia Minor, today’s Assos in Turkey.
Xenocratēs participated in many Athenian diplomatic missions and, in 339 BCE, succeeded Speusippus as head of Plato’s Academy, where he remained until his death.
Xenocratēs wrote highly influential treatises on natural science, astronomy, and philosophy. His writings formalized Platonism; however, they are lost except for fragments. He organized his contemplations in threefold categories, possibly in the Pythagorean tradition—philosophy into logic, ethics, and physics; reality into the objects of sensation, belief, and knowledge; beings into gods, men, and demons. He also probably initiated the time-honored distinction between mind, body, and soul.
Xenocratēs was also the first of the school of Plato to respond to Aristotle’s critiques of Plato’s arguments.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Xenocrates
I have often repented speaking, but never of holding my tongue.
—Xenocrates
Topics: Silence
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