Top 10 Philosophers

what does it all mean

what does it all mean these guys had an idea welcome to

these guys had an idea welcome to

these guys had an idea welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten

down our picks for the top ten

down our picks for the top ten philosophers for this list we looked for

philosophers for this list we looked for

philosophers for this list we looked for historically significant thinkers whose

historically significant thinkers whose

historically significant thinkers whose philosophies directly affected the

philosophies directly affected the

philosophies directly affected the societies in which they lived and whose

societies in which they lived and whose

societies in which they lived and whose intellectual approaches ideas and/or

intellectual approaches ideas and/or

intellectual approaches ideas and/or principles remain relevant to

principles remain relevant to

principles remain relevant to contemporary civilizations number 10

contemporary civilizations number 10

contemporary civilizations number 10 David Hume Scottish philosopher and

David Hume Scottish philosopher and

David Hume Scottish philosopher and historian Hume is considered to be the

historian Hume is considered to be the

historian Hume is considered to be the leading neo skeptic of the early modern

leading neo skeptic of the early modern

leading neo skeptic of the early modern period have a little patience only till

period have a little patience only till

period have a little patience only till I have the pleasure of seeing all the

I have the pleasure of seeing all the

I have the pleasure of seeing all the Chukchi shut up and the clergy sent

Chukchi shut up and the clergy sent

Chukchi shut up and the clergy sent about that business mr. Hume any

about that business mr. Hume any

about that business mr. Hume any hypothesis he states that pretends to

hypothesis he states that pretends to

hypothesis he states that pretends to discover the ultimate original qualities

discover the ultimate original qualities

discover the ultimate original qualities of human nature not at first to be

of human nature not at first to be

of human nature not at first to be rejected as presumptuous and chimera he

rejected as presumptuous and chimera he

rejected as presumptuous and chimera he also postulated that human behavior is

also postulated that human behavior is

also postulated that human behavior is ruled by passion rather than reason and

ruled by passion rather than reason and

ruled by passion rather than reason and encouraged a system of free will

encouraged a system of free will

encouraged a system of free will interested in the exploration of what we

interested in the exploration of what we

interested in the exploration of what we know and what we can know his philosophy

know and what we can know his philosophy

know and what we can know his philosophy established the foundation of studies

established the foundation of studies

established the foundation of studies and cognitive science sight touch smell

and cognitive science sight touch smell

and cognitive science sight touch smell and sound only after that does the mind

and sound only after that does the mind

and sound only after that does the mind organize and file and connect

organize and file and connect

organize and file and connect information number 9 jean-paul stop

information number 9 jean-paul stop

information number 9 jean-paul stop synonymous with existential philosophy

synonymous with existential philosophy

synonymous with existential philosophy sought claimed to be human is to be

sought claimed to be human is to be

sought claimed to be human is to be conscious it is to be free to imagine

conscious it is to be free to imagine

conscious it is to be free to imagine free to choose and to be responsible for

free to choose and to be responsible for

free to choose and to be responsible for one’s lot in life so he comes to the

one’s lot in life so he comes to the

one’s lot in life so he comes to the conclusion that if God exists man is not

conclusion that if God exists man is not

conclusion that if God exists man is not free and if man is free God does not

free and if man is free God does not

free and if man is free God does not exist if we perceive something then we

exist if we perceive something then we

exist if we perceive something then we must be conscious of perceiving it he

must be conscious of perceiving it he

must be conscious of perceiving it he argued these views heavily informed

argued these views heavily informed

argued these views heavily informed starts with seminal work being in

starts with seminal work being in

starts with seminal work being in nothingness as well as his own life as

nothingness as well as his own life as

nothingness as well as his own life as an artist public figure and activist and

an artist public figure and activist and

an artist public figure and activist and are an essential contribution to

are an essential contribution to

are an essential contribution to postmodern thought of the late 20th

postmodern thought of the late 20th

postmodern thought of the late 20th century

century

century number eight John Locke a British

number eight John Locke a British

number eight John Locke a British philosopher in the late 1600s Locke

philosopher in the late 1600s Locke

philosopher in the late 1600s Locke proposed that the mind was a blank slate

proposed that the mind was a blank slate

proposed that the mind was a blank slate or tabula rasa at birth he also called

or tabula rasa at birth he also called

or tabula rasa at birth he also called for man’s right to life liberty and

for man’s right to life liberty and

for man’s right to life liberty and estate natural law he argued dictates

estate natural law he argued dictates

estate natural law he argued dictates that these rights are essential and it

that these rights are essential and it

that these rights are essential and it is the government’s duty to protect them

is the government’s duty to protect them

is the government’s duty to protect them at all costs Locke’s essay concerning

at all costs Locke’s essay concerning

at all costs Locke’s essay concerning human nature and his two treatises of

human nature and his two treatises of

human nature and his two treatises of government were inspirational to other

government were inspirational to other

government were inspirational to other Enlightenment thinkers and a driving

Enlightenment thinkers and a driving

Enlightenment thinkers and a driving ideological force behind both the French

ideological force behind both the French

ideological force behind both the French and American revolutions number seven

and American revolutions number seven

and American revolutions number seven jean-jacques Rousseau author of the

jean-jacques Rousseau author of the

jean-jacques Rousseau author of the social contract Russo’s political

social contract Russo’s political

social contract Russo’s political theories are essential to the

theories are essential to the

theories are essential to the understanding of modern-day democracy

understanding of modern-day democracy

understanding of modern-day democracy basing his ideas on an anthropological

basing his ideas on an anthropological

basing his ideas on an anthropological study of human nature Rousseau concluded

study of human nature Rousseau concluded

study of human nature Rousseau concluded that man is born free but everywhere he

that man is born free but everywhere he

that man is born free but everywhere he is in Chains to solve this paradox

is in Chains to solve this paradox

is in Chains to solve this paradox Rousseau outlines an idealized political

Rousseau outlines an idealized political

Rousseau outlines an idealized political structure citing the duties of citizens

structure citing the duties of citizens

structure citing the duties of citizens to the state and in turn the state’s

to the state and in turn the state’s

to the state and in turn the state’s obligation to protect the citizens

obligation to protect the citizens

obligation to protect the citizens inherent right to freedom number six

inherent right to freedom number six

inherent right to freedom number six Socrates declaring that the unexamined

Socrates declaring that the unexamined

Socrates declaring that the unexamined life is not worth living socrates

life is not worth living socrates

life is not worth living socrates philosophy focused on justice and virtue

philosophy focused on justice and virtue

philosophy focused on justice and virtue this study took form through a dialectic

this study took form through a dialectic

this study took form through a dialectic strategy of contemplating certain

strategy of contemplating certain

strategy of contemplating certain questions to reveal universal truths a

questions to reveal universal truths a

questions to reveal universal truths a process now known as the Socratic method

process now known as the Socratic method

process now known as the Socratic method asking questions where there were

asking questions where there were

asking questions where there were questions to be asked not remaining

questions to be asked not remaining

questions to be asked not remaining content with assumptions or with

content with assumptions or with

content with assumptions or with Authority this is very subtractor but

Authority this is very subtractor but

Authority this is very subtractor but perhaps his most enduring statement was

perhaps his most enduring statement was

perhaps his most enduring statement was I know that I know nothing highly

I know that I know nothing highly

I know that I know nothing highly critical of the ruling elite in Athens

critical of the ruling elite in Athens

critical of the ruling elite in Athens Socrates was sentenced to death for

Socrates was sentenced to death for

Socrates was sentenced to death for impiety

impiety

impiety and corrupting the youth becoming a

and corrupting the youth becoming a

and corrupting the youth becoming a martyr to the love of knowledge and the

martyr to the love of knowledge and the

martyr to the love of knowledge and the legendary father of Western philosophy

legendary father of Western philosophy

legendary father of Western philosophy number five

number five

number five Confucius also known as kunchu Confucius

Confucius also known as kunchu Confucius

Confucius also known as kunchu Confucius search for remedies to the social and

search for remedies to the social and

search for remedies to the social and political chaos of his time he believed

political chaos of his time he believed

political chaos of his time he believed in the restoration and maintenance of

in the restoration and maintenance of

in the restoration and maintenance of traditional Chinese values to

traditional Chinese values to

traditional Chinese values to re-establish an ethical Society this

re-establish an ethical Society this

re-establish an ethical Society this philosophy was bill

philosophy was bill

philosophy was bill on the principles of loving others

on the principles of loving others

on the principles of loving others self-discipline and self-restraint and

self-discipline and self-restraint and

self-discipline and self-restraint and an early precursor of the golden rule

an early precursor of the golden rule

an early precursor of the golden rule though he never saw the fulfillment of

though he never saw the fulfillment of

though he never saw the fulfillment of these ideals within his lifetime

these ideals within his lifetime

these ideals within his lifetime Confucianism continues to have a

Confucianism continues to have a

Confucianism continues to have a meaningful impact on cultural practices

meaningful impact on cultural practices

meaningful impact on cultural practices in many parts of East Asia number four

in many parts of East Asia number four

in many parts of East Asia number four finaid account deemed founder of the

finaid account deemed founder of the

finaid account deemed founder of the modern age day cap saw the whole

modern age day cap saw the whole

modern age day cap saw the whole philosophy as an intricate web anchored

philosophy as an intricate web anchored

philosophy as an intricate web anchored in metaphysics and physics with

in metaphysics and physics with

in metaphysics and physics with practical applications in other sciences

practical applications in other sciences

practical applications in other sciences and ethics integral to dick Health’s

and ethics integral to dick Health’s

and ethics integral to dick Health’s ideas was Cartesian dualism I think

ideas was Cartesian dualism I think

ideas was Cartesian dualism I think therefore I am he explained noting that

therefore I am he explained noting that

therefore I am he explained noting that one’s existence is housed in the mind

one’s existence is housed in the mind

one’s existence is housed in the mind completely separate from the body a

completely separate from the body a

completely separate from the body a champion of rationalism and empirical

champion of rationalism and empirical

champion of rationalism and empirical study decaf provided the foundations of

study decaf provided the foundations of

study decaf provided the foundations of modern scientific methodology and

modern scientific methodology and

modern scientific methodology and thought number three Friedrich Nietzsche

thought number three Friedrich Nietzsche

thought number three Friedrich Nietzsche German philosopher and cultural critic

German philosopher and cultural critic

German philosopher and cultural critic Nietzsche highlighted the death of God

Nietzsche highlighted the death of God

Nietzsche highlighted the death of God predicting an end to traditional modes

predicting an end to traditional modes

predicting an end to traditional modes of philosophy and religion and the

of philosophy and religion and the

of philosophy and religion and the ushering in of an era of nihilism though

ushering in of an era of nihilism though

ushering in of an era of nihilism though Nietzsche rejected the notion of

Nietzsche rejected the notion of

Nietzsche rejected the notion of universal constraints or truth it is

universal constraints or truth it is

universal constraints or truth it is hotly debated as to whether or not

hotly debated as to whether or not

hotly debated as to whether or not Nietzsche was nihilistic or working

Nietzsche was nihilistic or working

Nietzsche was nihilistic or working towards overcoming nihilism a prolific

towards overcoming nihilism a prolific

towards overcoming nihilism a prolific thinker whose life was cut short by

thinker whose life was cut short by

thinker whose life was cut short by illness his ideas continue to ignite

illness his ideas continue to ignite

illness his ideas continue to ignite controversy and inspire debate number

controversy and inspire debate number

controversy and inspire debate number two plato believing the truth was best

two plato believing the truth was best

two plato believing the truth was best pursued through rational inquiry plato

pursued through rational inquiry plato

pursued through rational inquiry plato conceptualized two rounds one of

conceptualized two rounds one of

conceptualized two rounds one of idealized versions of all things which

idealized versions of all things which

idealized versions of all things which he called forms and our physical world

he called forms and our physical world

he called forms and our physical world we’re imperfect versions of these forms

we’re imperfect versions of these forms

we’re imperfect versions of these forms exist as illustrated by his allegory of

exist as illustrated by his allegory of

exist as illustrated by his allegory of the cave plato’s republic best outlines

the cave plato’s republic best outlines

the cave plato’s republic best outlines these ideas applying them to the

these ideas applying them to the

these ideas applying them to the conceptualization of an ideal society

conceptualization of an ideal society

conceptualization of an ideal society though his work veers toward the

though his work veers toward the

though his work veers toward the abstract Plato’s writing is an essential

abstract Plato’s writing is an essential

abstract Plato’s writing is an essential contribution to the annals of Western

contribution to the annals of Western

contribution to the annals of Western philosophy inspiring thinkers for the

philosophy inspiring thinkers for the

philosophy inspiring thinkers for the past two and a half millennia before we

past two and a half millennia before we

past two and a half millennia before we unveil our number one pick here are a

unveil our number one pick here are a

unveil our number one pick here are a few honorable mentions

number one Aristotle named tutor of

number one Aristotle named tutor of Alexander the Great Aristotle’s works

Alexander the Great Aristotle’s works

Alexander the Great Aristotle’s works cover everything from physics to theater

cover everything from physics to theater

cover everything from physics to theater a student of Plato’s Academy

a student of Plato’s Academy

a student of Plato’s Academy Aristotle diverged from his predecessors

Aristotle diverged from his predecessors

Aristotle diverged from his predecessors rationalist pursuits by embarking on

rationalist pursuits by embarking on

rationalist pursuits by embarking on empirical study of the natural world

empirical study of the natural world

empirical study of the natural world this focus led him to conclude that no

this focus led him to conclude that no

this focus led him to conclude that no metaphysical notion of form exists

metaphysical notion of form exists

metaphysical notion of form exists without evidence of real substance a

without evidence of real substance a

without evidence of real substance a quintessential characteristic of

quintessential characteristic of

quintessential characteristic of Aristotelian thought this idea would

Aristotelian thought this idea would

Aristotelian thought this idea would have far-reaching influence on the

have far-reaching influence on the

have far-reaching influence on the development of Western philosophy

development of Western philosophy

development of Western philosophy theology and science as did his

theology and science as did his

theology and science as did his principles of causality and the golden

principles of causality and the golden

principles of causality and the golden mean do you agree with our list

mean do you agree with our list

mean do you agree with our list what great thinker gets your head

what great thinker gets your head

what great thinker gets your head spinning for more mind-blowing top 10s

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