Philosophy

Well, let's talk about philosophy.

Who is your favourite philosopher, and why?

What is the area they talked about most? Politics? Religion? Humanity in general, or perhaps the learning experiences? What were their views on that topic?

To avoid breaking forum rules, we will not be actually discussing politics or religion, so just keep it brief, and relatively uncontroversial, and hopefully we can keep this thread open, and learn some things about some interesting people from history.

A few of my own favorite philosophers are from the Age of Enlightenment, mainly Hobbes and Locke.

Hobbes in particular, because he views humanity and government in an interesting light. He saw government as a sort of block on humankinds baser instincts, as that which imposed civility upon the people. He writes that without someone to lead us, mankind would descend into chaos, and it would be war "All against all" I believe was one statement he used. He predicted that life would be "Nasty, brutish, and short". I personally agree with alot of his writing, and feel that civility is imposed by the feeling that we are led, rather then allowing ourselves to follow.

Locke, on the other hand, had a much different take, one that I also agree with strongly. His views on government I believe are the foundations for the American system currently in place, talking of equality, the rights to property and so on.
He also views that humanity is naturally logical, and reasonable, contrary to Hobbes, and one of his views which I disagree with.

Moderators, if you have any issues at all with this thread, then please, feel free to contact me, and I shall make the neccessary adjustments.

If there are any discrepencies in my knowledge, feel free to correct me. It's been some time since I've read about these fellows.

I just started taking philosophy and im fairly new to this subject and he we havent learned about many philosophers,but one of my favourites so far would have to be Bertrand Russell and he basically speaks on learning experiences,there's this article we read in class on why philosophy should be studied called the problems of philosophy,and i agree with the fact that he says "we should not only feed our bodies,but feed our minds."I agree with him when he says philosophy can change your way of thinking,not in a bad way but in a more creative way,it sort of gives you your own perspective and allows you to think more openly.

I just learned about Hobbes and Locke in school!

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Originally Posted by Saraaa

I just started taking philosophy and im fairly new to this subject and he we havent learned about many philosophers,but one of my favourites so far would have to be Bertrand Russell and he basically speaks on learning experiences,there's this article we read in class on why philosophy should be studied called the problems of philosophy,and i agree with the fact that he says "we should not only feed our bodies,but feed our minds."I agree with him when he says philosophy can change your way of thinking,not in a bad way but in a more creative way,it sort of gives you your own perspective and allows you to think more openly.

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Russell is one of the Age on Enlightenment also I believe, one of the "Big 5" or something like that. He too has very interesting views, and I do enjoy his views on education, and on his views of human learning.

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Originally Posted by Milonius

I just learned about Hobbes and Locke in school!

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And what are your thoughts on them, and their views?

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Originally Posted by StormSurge

Russell is one of the Age on Enlightenment also I believe, one of the "Big 5" or something like that. He too has very interesting views, and I do enjoy his views on education, and on his views of human learning.

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i havent learned of all of them yet,but i cant wait too,they like really interesting philosophers too .

I can understand where Hobbes is coming from, but I think it's a nurture vs. nature issue, with nurture being the cause of people's cruelty and selfishness. The environment one grows up in can affect them too.

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Originally Posted by Milonius

I can understand where Hobbes is coming from, but I think it's a nurture vs. nature issue, with nurture being the cause of people's cruelty and selfishness. The environment one grows up in can affect them too.

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I disagree, I believe that mankind runs on the basest of instincts, many of which revolve around fighting, for a variety of reasons. The instinct to fight to protect close people, the instinct to fight for food, the instinct to fight for your territory. Without government imposing civility upon us, we would eventually deteriorate back to that state of pure instinct.

Yes, but he proposed that we need governments like absolute monarchies. That type of control usually did more bad than good.

Out of them I have enjoyed some of the concepts of Hobbes and Locke, but I prefer the older Philosophers like Aristotle, or even Plato. Though my favorite is Aristotle

I love reading Aristotle due to all his works on understanding Life, nature, everything. He really tried to explain all things, and amusingly was pretty close on most. In fact I honestly feel some of his own definitions are better suited then the ones we give in this day and age.