Can you name some free thinkers over the course of time who contributed a great deal to philosophy and what they studied and/or acheived?
2006-10-15 02:08:56 · 6 answers · asked by Game Guy 5 in Social Science ➔ Other - Social Science
We actually live in a society partly created by the thoughts of philosophers. John Locke thought that public service offices should be held for life (as in the King) and you can see the reflection of this idea in the U.S. system of federal judges - lifetime appointment.
Go back a little further to Plato and you'll find that he started the first school for philosophical thought in the western world, in Greece. The English word derived from the name of this school is 'academy' and how many academies do you know of? The Air Force Academy, and the Naval Academy are two that come to mind. One of Plato's famous students was Aristotle, who went out on his own after Plato's death, and developed his own system called the 'dialectic.'
Each philosopher introduced a disciplined way of looking at the world, mathematics, and science. When you study the philosophers it is interesting to note the advancement in the discipline of thinking that occurred. One area I have always been fascinated about is 'aesthetics' or the study of beauty. There is a wealth of information on this subject, and like you, I have to go out and dig a little to find it.
Good luck in your digging.
2006-10-15 03:47:48 · answer #1 · answered by Thomas D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
John Lennon who believed that peace was obtainable:
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
2006-10-15 09:21:27 · answer #2 · answered by Debra D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sarte, Nietche, Marcus Aurelius, and a good movie on regarding phiolospher type feelings is "Life as a house, with kevin Kline". And how about plato and Socrates!
2006-10-15 09:15:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Benjamin Franklin. He was one of the most prominent "founding fathers" of the US. He was a leading printer, scientist, inventor, civic activist and diplomat. His wise and scintillating writing are proverbial to this day. He also practiced and published on Astrology. One of many quotes, from "Benjamin Franklin. "The only two certainties in life, are death and taxes."
2006-10-15 09:42:01 · answer #4 · answered by smplyme132 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Marcus Aurelius, Boethius, & Gandhi.
2006-10-15 09:19:03 · answer #5 · answered by lifeloom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John Locke - system, purpose of government, Freedom, and the right to self defence.
2006-10-15 09:26:09 · answer #6 · answered by Roadkill 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋