famous philosophers and their contributions

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Either way, many famous philosophers have made their contributions known to the world through their writings and their students. Prussian-born (and therefore identified as a German philosopher), Kant is considered among the most essential figures in modern philosophy, an advocate of reason as the source for morality, and a thinker whose ideas continue to permeate ethical, epistemological, and political debate. He contributed a critical body of work to the school of thought called liberalism, an ideology founding on the extension of individual liberties and economic freedoms. To his own way of thinking, Kant was pointing a way forward by resolving a central philosophical impasse. A German-born economist, political theorist, and philosopher, Karl Marx wrote some of the most revolutionary philosophical content ever produced. Though often identified as a postmodernist, Foucault preferred to think of himself as a critic of modernity. Some schools of thought are still represented in contemporary philosophical thought while others have been left dormant for over 2000 years. The list of the greatest philosophers is incomplete without Aristotle. The alphabetical list of philosophers is so large it had to be broken up into several pages. We’ve sorted the philosophical schools of thought by period (Antiquity / Middle Ages / Modernity / Contemporary) for easier visibility on and clearer understanding of the currents in the history of philosophy. An English physicist and philosopher, John Locke was a prominent thinker during the Enlightenment period. In contrast to rationalists such as Descartes, Hume was preoccupied with the way that passions (as opposed to reason) govern human behavior. Of note, one of his activist collaborators was both a romantic partner and a fellow major cohort of existentialism, Simone de Beauvoir. They stand as major philosophers and to this day are still read by philosophy students because of their contributions to the field and history of philosophy. As such, Taoism is equally rooted in religion and philosophy. Mill was also a proponent of utilitarianism, which holds that the best action is one that maximizes utility, or stated more simply, one that provide the greatest benefit to all. He is currently ranked as one of the most influential philosophers in the world and is a prominent figure in Germany as a public intellectual. Highly informative resources to keep your education journey on track. Such is to say that it is nearly impossible to sum up the impact of Plato’s ideas on science, ethics, mathematics, or the evolution of thought itself other than to say it has been total, permeating, and inexorable from the tradition of rigorous thinking itself. His ideas also remain central to theological debate, discourse, and modes of worship. Honestly, the only real way you can fully comprehend the theories, epistemologies, and frameworks described here is to read the writing created by — and critique dedicated to — each of these thinkers. Thus, the body of his thoughts and ideas is left to be deciphered through the works of his two most prominent students, Plato and Xenophon, as well as to the legions of historians and critics who have written on him since. As such, Mill himself advocated strongly for the preserving of individual rights and called for limitations to the power and authority of the state over the individual. But there are some modern-day philosophical thinkers … But we think it’s worth the risk to give you a quick shot of knowledge while you prepare for your exam, tighten up your essay, or begin the research process. Plato preached his philosophy that was based on a threefold approach, namely – … This was a distinctly American philosophical orientation that rejected the pressures imposed by society, materialism, and organized religion in favor of the ideals of individualism, freedom, and a personal emphasis on the soul’s relationship with the surrounding natural world. British economist, public servant, and philosopher John Stuart Mill is considered a linchpin of modern social and political theory. His writings, and Aquinas himself, are still considered among the preeminent models for Catholic priesthood. Modern philosophy got its start in Western Europe during the Seventeenth Century. Chinese teacher, writer, and philosopher Confucius viewed himself as a channel for the theological ideas and values of the imperial dynasties that came before him. Lao-Tzu espoused an ideal life lived through the Dao or Tao (roughly translated as “the way”). 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