Who is the greatest living philosopher?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of who is considered the greatest living philosopher, exploring various opinions and humorous takes on the topic. Participants share their thoughts on notable figures in philosophy, as well as some unconventional suggestions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Humorous

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest well-known philosophers like Lewis, Putnam, and Næss as candidates for the title of greatest living philosopher.
  • Others humorously propose unconventional figures such as Jennifer Lopez and Homer Simpson, highlighting the subjective nature of the question.
  • A participant mentions Marilyn Savant, arguing for her influence on intellectual pursuits through practical methods.
  • There are claims of personal superiority in philosophical understanding from several participants, with humorous exchanges about self-proclaimed greatness.
  • Roger Penrose is noted for his contributions, specifically referencing his book "The Emperor's New Mind," although some critique his ideas.
  • Peter Sloterdijk is mentioned with a tongue-in-cheek reference to his self-assertion as a philosopher.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a wide range of opinions with no clear consensus on who the greatest living philosopher is. The discussion includes both serious and humorous suggestions, indicating a mix of agreement on the subjective nature of the question but disagreement on specific candidates.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes a variety of philosophical figures and humorous references, reflecting personal biases and interpretations rather than a structured philosophical debate.

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Who is the greatest living philosopher? Why?
 
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ME!

humbly,
olde drunk
 
Me too! In fact, I may be just smart enough to realize that I'm too ignorant to understand my own ignorance...maybe not...but I think it's unlikely to be whoever is selling the most books- knowledge is cheap understanding is priceless.
 
Probably Lewis, with the fairly recent passing of Davidson.
 
Our own norwegian Arne Næss of course.. sheesh.
 
Probably Putnam. He has been a leading figure in more than one philosophical movement. If Davidson didn't die last year he would have gotten my vote. The most famous living philosopher probably would be Rorty.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I would say Jennifer Lopez, with her pioneering fashion philosophy.
 
it is myself
 
What are you asking? Do you want to know, of the living philosophers, which is greates?

Or, do you want to know, of philosophers, which is the greatest at living?

That second one would be pretty hard to answer. I mean, you'd need to know their habits, hobbies lifestyles.


:wink:
Njorl
 
  • #10
Njorl said:
What are you asking? Do you want to know, of the living philosophers, which is greates?

Or, do you want to know, of philosophers, which is the greatest at living?

That second one would be pretty hard to answer. I mean, you'd need to know their habits, hobbies lifestyles.


:wink:
Njorl

Lol ... deserves to go into the 'Jokes' thread :wink:
 
  • #11
If someone's going to mention snoop, I will Have to say 2pac ... no-one compares to him.
 
  • #12
Shoot! ... in my little world he's still alive ... lol .. I'd forgotten he's dead while I posted the above (listening to the 'Until the End of Time' remix of course :D)
 
  • #13
I am the greatest and that is why the admins here lock every thread I start
 
  • #14
olde drunk said:
ME!

humbly,
olde drunk

You lie! Do not try to usurp my position!

Anyway, that post has the highest irony density ever.

I can't say who the second best, but Tom Regan is pretty good.
 
  • #15
Well, fellows, here are a lot of interesting suggestions. Jennifer Lopez was a good one... liked that.

I have a candidate, but I assume this discussion might be over once I have revealed who it is. Shall I?
 
  • #16
published? i'd say lewis. otherwise, myself (i'm too stubborn to listen to anyone else).

salamander, go ahead. but, PLEASE, no reigious hero that may have been misrepresented, misquoted or misunderstood.

love and peace,
olde drunk
 
  • #17
Okay:

HOMER SIMPSON

would anyone agree?
 
  • #18
Given Homer's broad exposure I agree he is among the greats but surely not the greatest.
 
  • #19
well we have to pick someone, why not homer?
 
  • #20
On second thought I don't think it's me despite my aptitude for self inflicted confusion, although I'm not very familiar with all today's philosophers and so biased, the one that has the most positive influence on me is Marilyn Savant, reason being playing chess for a few months can boost a person's IQ by 5 points(if they enjoy it), but then if you take a lot of the fundamental aspects of intelligence and put them into a book of practical everyday methods one might get 15 points or more out of it in a few months or more importantly start a lifelong love of intellectual pursuits, and then if you combine that with inspiring people to get some mental exercise you might get 10k to 100k people to try it, so that's about 500k additional IQ points added to humanity, essentially what Einstein tried to do was inspire people but he didn't understand IQ very well but he did inspire although hardly with direction...Not that IQ alone is going to make the world a wonderful place, but if the world is a reflection of everyone's combined understandings and lack of then her affects are far more beneficially pervasive than General Relativity in the long run and the main factors to great works I suspect are pervasiveness and beneficiality to humanity... Socrates had similar affects and was terribly mysterious, it's probably a lot more important to provoke or inspire people into thinking for themselves than hand them the great book of dry knowledge to memorize that seems to do more harm than good but it's a lot easier.
 
  • #21
I would say Nozick or Churchland.
*Nico
 
  • #22
Hey olde drunk,

I have to disagree with you.

I taught you everything I know and you still don't know nothing!
 
  • #23
force5 said:
Hey olde drunk,

I have to disagree with you.

I taught you everything I know and you still don't know nothing!
sadly, with tears falling, i must agree!

what do we know? ---------- nuttin!

love&peace,
olde drunk
 
  • #24
Roger Penrose

because His Book << The Emporer's New Mind >>
 
  • #25
sciart said:
Roger Penrose

because His Book << The Emporer's New Mind >>

Penrose made a gigantic error in failing to realize the obvious possibility that individual human beings each have their own Godel sentences.
 
  • #27
And Ronald Reagan of course, especially when he philosophizes at his best: "Facts are stupid things."
 

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