Aristippus of Cyrene

Aristippus, of Cyrene, a pupil of Socrates. It was probably not he but his grandson who founded the Cyrenaic school of philosophy, and was the first to teach its characteristic doctrine, that immediate pleasure is the only end of action; knowledge is based on sensation, and the present moment is the only reality. His works are entirely lost.

(c.435-350 BC) A companion of Socrates, whose grandson via his daughter Arete was one of the founders of the Cyrenaic school. Diogenes Laertius leaves a memorable portrait of Aristippus as a wealthy, discriminating, and extravagant hedonist. The grandson was known as matro-didactus (mother-taught), suggesting a high degree of ability in Arete.