THE SELECTED GREAT THINKERS AND THEIR PHILOSOPHICAL

CONTRIBUTION
FAMOUS PHILOSOPHERS
Philosophy, which literally means the love of wisdom, is one of the oldest
disciplines in history. There are many ideas about philosophers and what they do. Some
have even considered the field to be a science that deals with logic and reason. Either
way, many famous philosophers have made their contributions known to the world
through their writings and their students. Below is a list of the greatest thinkers of all time
along with their most important theories about human nature and other ponderings of the
world.
1. KARL MARX (1818-1883)

The Communist Manifesto, co-founder and father of

Socialism & Communism.
Karl Marx is better known as the father of socialism and
communism, one follows the other. Marx has been labeled as
a revolutionary socialist for his belief in what has been called
dictatorship of the proletariat. In addition to espousing his own
philosophies, he was also a sociologist, economist, journalist,
and historian.

2. VOLTAIRE (1694-1778)
His philosophical wit.
French philosopher Franois-Marie Arouet was a well-known
during the 18th century. He is better known under his
pseudonym, Voltaire. Voltaire was an advocate of some of the
most basic freedoms, he believed in the freedom of expression,
religion and voiced this through his witty writing. One of his
favorite targets was the Catholic Church.
3. SOCRATES (C. 469-399 BC)
The Socratic Method of logic and a founder of Western
philosophy.
His story began in his hometown of Athens, Greece but
unfolded through the writings of his students and fellow
philosophers. The field of ethics was the specialty of Socrates
and introduced a concept that has been dubbed aselenchus, or
the Socratic Method. He contributed much to the field of logic
and epistemology.
4. PLATO (C. 428-348 BC)

Platonic idealism and the theory of forms.

Athenian native Plato, and his role in western philosophy
can be traced back to when he was student of Socrates. He also
excelled in mathematics, logic, ethics, rhetoric, and religion. He
founded the Academy in Athens.
5. ADAM SMITH (1723-1790)
Father of Modern Economics.
Best remembered for his writing of An Inquiry into the Nature
and Causes of the Wealth of Nations and The Theory of Moral
Sentiments, Scottish philosopher Adam Smith was a pioneer in
the field of political economy. His ideas in the areas of moral
philosophy and economics have been studied throughout the
years, and still is.
6. ARISTOTLE (384322 BC)
Aristotelian logic & theory of soul.
The third member who has greatly influenced western
philosophy, Aristotle provided ideas in the areas of aesthetics,
ethics, logic, metaphysics, politics, and science. He was a
student of Plato and teacher to Alexander the
great.Nicomachean Ethicsis one of the treatises that Aristotle
wrote. He believed that ethics should be applied practically, not
merely theorizing it.
7. CONFUCIUS (551-479 BC)

The Golden Rule and Confucianism.

Born during the Spring & Autumn era in Chinese history,
Confucius and his ideas on social and personal relationships
became a school of thought that many Chinese embraced. He
was a voracious writer for which includes the Five Classics in
Chinese literature. He believed that proper moral behavior is
best practiced, than morality being made a rule.

8. REN DESCARTES (1596-1650)

Being the Father of Modern Philosophy, Cartesian

coordinate system & I think, therefore I am.
Rene Descartes influence on the world of philosophy is
evident at todays universities. His book Meditations of First
Philosophy is still being used. Perhaps this statement attributed
to Descartes will ring a bell, I think, therefore I am.

9. BLAISE PASCAL (1623-1662)

Pascals law in mathematics & Pascals wager in

philosophy.
The name of Blaise Pascal is frequently associated with
mathematics. As a philosopher, he proposed what we know as
Pascals wager, in which people, in general, will bet their life on
the existence or non-existence of God.
10. JOHN DEWEY (1859-1952)

His Ideas On Pragmatism & Educational Progressivism.

One of the first men to present the idea of pragmatism as
a philosophical concept, Dewey also espoused Reflective
Thinking. He believed in the philosophy of education, in which
he views education as a social continuity of life. This is why he
championed Educational Progressivism

11. THOMAS AQUINAS (1225-1274)

Thomism and Summa Theologica.

Even though he was a priest, Thomas Aquinas and his
philosophy have influenced modern philosophy. He was the
father of Thomism, he believed that the truth is true regardless
of the source. His work in Summa Theologica and Summa con
Gentiles are important sources of discourse that continue to be
used today.

12. JOHN LOCKE (1632-1704)

Theory of mind & Father of Classical Liberalism.

The effect of English philosopher John Locke has on the
world reverberates to this day. His part on the idea of the social
contract theory was one he shared with Sir Francis Bacon. The
likes of Rousseau, Voltaire, even American revolutionaries have
been influenced by his writings. He also offered the theory of
mind wherein he states that knowledge is something you are not
born with, but learn and experience.

13. JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU (1712-1778)

General Will and the moral simplicity of humanity.
The political philosophy of Rousseau became the basis of the
French Revolution. His ideas not only influenced nations, his
work is reflected in the modern thinking in regards to education,
political, and sociological matters. Two of his books, Discourse
on the Origin of Inequality and On the Social Contract have had
its effect on social and political thinking.

14. JEAN-PAUL SARTRE (1905-1980)

The Philosophy of Existentialism.

Jean Paul Sartre believed that existence precedes
essence. Sartre did not shy from being linked to the ideal of
existentialism. He applied his ideals on other areas of his life.
15. ALBERT SCHWEITZER (1875-1965)

The idea of the Reverence for Life.

Albert Schweitzer was a man with many facets. His goal
and philosophy of life was to have a Reverence for Life. He
believed that civilization had cast aside its foundation in ethics.

16. WILLIAM JAMES (1842-1910)

The philosophy of religion and theory of emotion.

William James was part of the philosophical school of
pragmatism. More importantly was his application of that school
of thought on the philosophy of religion. He also attempted to
explain why, if we see a snake, we fear the snake and run. In his
theory of emotion, James contends that we see a snake, we run;
therefore, we fear the snake.

17. LEO TOLSTOY (1828-1910)

War and Peace and Anna Karenina.

As a social reformer and moral thinker, Leo Tolstoy is
known for his novels, War and Peace and Anna Karenina. He
helped shape the idea of Christian anarchist thinking and even
pushed the idea of anarcho pacifism.

18. MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT (1759-1797)

Feminist philosophy & A Vinidication of the Rights of

Woman.
Mary Wollstonecraft believed that women should be
treated equally the same way and that the social order should be
based on reason. She is considered as the earliest of feminist
philosophers. Her book A Vinidication of the Rights of Woman
speaks of women not being inferior to men.

19. EMMA GOLDMAN (1869-1940)

Anarchist political philosophy.

Goldman comes from the philosophical school of
anarchism. She was a vocal supporter of womens rights and
other social issues. The school of anarchism believes a state is
harmful, unnecessary, and undesirable, making Goldman, anti-
state.
20. BERTRAND RUSSELL (1872-1970)

Being One of the Founders of Analytic Philosophy.

Bertrand Arthur William Russell is remembered in the field
of philosophy as a proponent of analytic philosophy. One of his
essays has been labeled as the ideal of philosophy, the essay is
entitled On Denoting. The British wanted to go against idealism,
Russell was their leader.
 LAGUNA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
STA. CRUZ CAMPUS
STA. CRUZ LAGUNA

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

(HUM 313 PHILOSOPHY OF MAN)

THE SELECTED GREAT THINKERS AND THEIR

PHILOSOPHICAL CONTRIBUTION

BSCE 3A

GROUP II
BALLESTEROS, SHAYRA
BANDA, CLARISSE MIA
BAWIT, ILDEE A.
BUBAN, MELVIN ANGELO