Category: Ancient philosophy

The well-known maxim "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food" is almost universally misattributed to the philosopher Socrates. The truth is that Socrates held a far more ascetic view of diet, while the quote is more accurately associated with the father of medicine, Hippocrates.

The ancient Greeks were known for their meat consumption, often tied to religious sacrifices and banquets. However, a notable exception to this rule existed in the 6th century BCE with the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, who was a vegetarian based on his unique ethical and spiritual worldview.

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle believed that virtue lies in finding the mean between two vices, one of excess and one of deficiency. This philosophical idea, known as the 'Golden Mean,' provides the foundation for the modern interpretation of what is the Aristotle diet, an approach centered on moderation, balance, and mindful eating, rather than a rigid set of rules.