Prominent Philosophers
Socrates
Socrates (approx.470BC-399BC) was a Greek philosopher, considered to be the one of the core founders of Western philosophy. Not much of his philosophy was written by himself; however, one of his student, Plato, recorded Socrates’ life through his dialogues. His contributions to modern philosophy were the concepts of the Socratic Dialogue, Socratic Method, Socratic Questioning, Socratic Irony, Socratic Paradox, and Socratic Problem which have become tools for many philosophers in debates.
“Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us.” - Socrates
Socrates (approx.470BC-399BC) was a Greek philosopher, considered to be the one of the core founders of Western philosophy. Not much of his philosophy was written by himself; however, one of his student, Plato, recorded Socrates’ life through his dialogues. His contributions to modern philosophy were the concepts of the Socratic Dialogue, Socratic Method, Socratic Questioning, Socratic Irony, Socratic Paradox, and Socratic Problem which have become tools for many philosophers in debates.
“Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us.” - Socrates
Plato
Plato (approx.427BC-348BC) was a Greek philosopher and a student under Socrates who recorded his life. He also made significant contributions to western philosophy, like his mentor. As well, he established the academic university of the western world in Athens.
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” - Plato
Plato (approx.427BC-348BC) was a Greek philosopher and a student under Socrates who recorded his life. He also made significant contributions to western philosophy, like his mentor. As well, he established the academic university of the western world in Athens.
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” - Plato
Aristotle
Aristotle (384BC-322BC) was another Greek philosopher. At the age of 18, Aristotle enrolled in Plato’s Academy and Plato became his teacher. Aristotle’s writings were not only about philosophy but also discussed other topics including biology, physics, zoology, poetry, music, theater, and politics. Although many times due to limited knowledge, his assumptions about science and math were incorrect, they provided a stepping stone for future scientists.
“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” - Aristotle
Aristotle (384BC-322BC) was another Greek philosopher. At the age of 18, Aristotle enrolled in Plato’s Academy and Plato became his teacher. Aristotle’s writings were not only about philosophy but also discussed other topics including biology, physics, zoology, poetry, music, theater, and politics. Although many times due to limited knowledge, his assumptions about science and math were incorrect, they provided a stepping stone for future scientists.
“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.” - Aristotle
Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was a Christian German philosopher. He was important philosopher of modern philosophy. His texts argued about humanity, mortality, the human experience, idealism, and skepticism.
“In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.” Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was a Christian German philosopher. He was important philosopher of modern philosophy. His texts argued about humanity, mortality, the human experience, idealism, and skepticism.
“In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.” Immanuel Kant
Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a German philosopher whose work surrounded morality, religion, science, and society. Despite the controversy surrounding his work, Nietzsche has been a prominent contributor to existentialism, post-modernism, and post-structuralism. He also influenced politics and society through his idea of Ubermensch (supermen), especially towards Nazi Germany. Though, Nietzsche was firm and condemned anti-Semitism and pan-Germanic beliefs. Nietzsche was also very against Christianity and the government.
“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.” - Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) was a German philosopher whose work surrounded morality, religion, science, and society. Despite the controversy surrounding his work, Nietzsche has been a prominent contributor to existentialism, post-modernism, and post-structuralism. He also influenced politics and society through his idea of Ubermensch (supermen), especially towards Nazi Germany. Though, Nietzsche was firm and condemned anti-Semitism and pan-Germanic beliefs. Nietzsche was also very against Christianity and the government.
“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.” - Friedrich Nietzsche
Soren Kirkegard
Soren Kirkegard (1813-1855) was a Danish philosopher, religious writer, and theologian who has been given the title of the first existential philosopher. He has written on themes of ethics, religion, mortality, Christianity, and psychology. His philosophy mainly focused on answering the question of how people live as single individuals, believing in a concrete world and not one that exists within the mind. He criticized idealism and the philosophers of that time period (ex: Hegel, Hans Christian Anderson, Geothe). Within Christianity, he explored the idea of Christian ethics, the Church institution, man and God, Jesus, and state religion Christianity. As a psychologist, he worked to discover complex emotions of feelings of people facing certain life situations. While writing, Kirkegaard wrote some major works under different noms-de-plume, which gave him the opportunity to examine, critique, and refer to his other pieces.
“God is not like a human being; it is not important for God to have visible evidence so that he can see if his cause has been victorious or not; he sees in secret just as well. Moreover, it is so far from being the case that you should help God to learn anew that it is rather he who will help you to learn anew, so that you are weaned from the worldly point of view that insists on visible evidence. (...) A decision in the external sphere is what Christianity does not want; (...) rather it wants to test the individual's faith.” – Soren Kirkegaard on the single individual
Soren Kirkegard (1813-1855) was a Danish philosopher, religious writer, and theologian who has been given the title of the first existential philosopher. He has written on themes of ethics, religion, mortality, Christianity, and psychology. His philosophy mainly focused on answering the question of how people live as single individuals, believing in a concrete world and not one that exists within the mind. He criticized idealism and the philosophers of that time period (ex: Hegel, Hans Christian Anderson, Geothe). Within Christianity, he explored the idea of Christian ethics, the Church institution, man and God, Jesus, and state religion Christianity. As a psychologist, he worked to discover complex emotions of feelings of people facing certain life situations. While writing, Kirkegaard wrote some major works under different noms-de-plume, which gave him the opportunity to examine, critique, and refer to his other pieces.
“God is not like a human being; it is not important for God to have visible evidence so that he can see if his cause has been victorious or not; he sees in secret just as well. Moreover, it is so far from being the case that you should help God to learn anew that it is rather he who will help you to learn anew, so that you are weaned from the worldly point of view that insists on visible evidence. (...) A decision in the external sphere is what Christianity does not want; (...) rather it wants to test the individual's faith.” – Soren Kirkegaard on the single individual
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was a medieval philosopher who has made some of the greatest contributions to Christian philosophy. His work discussed primarily theological questions. His combination of the Roman Catholic faith and Aristotle’s teachings is one of his greatest accomplishments in philosophy. As well, he also contributed in the fields of metaphysics, ethics, and natural law.
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible” –Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was a medieval philosopher who has made some of the greatest contributions to Christian philosophy. His work discussed primarily theological questions. His combination of the Roman Catholic faith and Aristotle’s teachings is one of his greatest accomplishments in philosophy. As well, he also contributed in the fields of metaphysics, ethics, and natural law.
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible” –Thomas Aquinas