2007-09-09 11:58:31 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Yes, I would consider him so. I was a philosophy major in college, if that gives me any authority. One of my professors made a point to mention that it does not take a Ph.D., or indeed any academic training at all, to be a philosopher. I'm not sure he mentioned Twain specifically, but he made the point that writers, and especially poets, are often philosophers. And I would count humorists in that, especially ones that have a point to make with their humor, such as the "War Prayer" Twain wrote, or his views on slavery and discrimination portrayed in "Tom Sawyer." His "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" and "The Prince and the Pauper" both have important social commentary written into the stories.
2007-09-09 13:54:18 · answer #1 · answered by auntb93 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He was a humorist, a wonderful writer, a cynic, and perhaps those things taken together make him a philosopher: maybe!
I just doubt he'll even be taken seriously in the same way Hegel, Descartes, Wittgenstein and Socrates are.
2007-09-09 19:04:11 · answer #2 · answered by Bryce 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Outside the U.S., he is regarded as one of the great American philosophers. Most Americans are only familiar with some of his novels and a few short sayings. They have missed a lot.
2007-09-09 19:37:40 · answer #3 · answered by Tom K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think he's considered a philosopher in the classic sense, but I think his writings contain some philosophical elements. I think he is primarily considered a humorist and satirist, and novelist.
2007-09-09 19:24:33 · answer #4 · answered by keri gee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As much as anyone else. He had some smart things to say, and said them.
I suppose if you make a distinction between formal philosophical scholarship and just being wise, then no. But he was wise (and funny).
2007-09-09 19:02:32 · answer #5 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He is in my book. My favorite quote of his is topical even today: "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Not that philosophical but oh so true!
2007-09-09 21:54:47 · answer #6 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
story teller
But we are always judged by others
and labled by the same
2007-09-09 19:26:54 · answer #7 · answered by beantown10955 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
anybody who wrote a good book, is certainly in need of understanding philosophy
2007-09-09 19:18:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes
2007-09-09 19:06:16 · answer #9 · answered by disTurbed angeL 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd consider him one.
2007-09-09 19:01:25 · answer #10 · answered by Ten Commandments 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋