Who's your favourite living Philsopher

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The discussion centers around contemporary philosophers and the preferences of forum participants. Nietzsche and Kierkegaard are frequently mentioned, although Kierkegaard is noted as not being recently deceased. Participants express a lack of familiarity with living philosophers, with some dismissing current philosophical trends, particularly those focusing on animal rights. Anthony Flew is discussed regarding his views on the origins of life and the concept of a "Higher Power," with some participants reflecting on the implications of his philosophical journey. The conversation also touches on the idea that philosophy is subjective, with individuals expressing that they prefer certain thinkers while acknowledging the value in diverse philosophical perspectives. Some participants advocate for the contributions of scientists as philosophers, suggesting that their empirical approaches yield significant insights. Overall, the thread highlights a mix of admiration for historical philosophers and skepticism towards contemporary philosophical discourse.
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I'm trying to find out more about philosophers who are still alive (or recently deceased) so post who your favourite is and tell us a bit about them.
 
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Nietzsche(always forget that pesky s). Close second is Kierkegaard.

Logical syllogisms and categorical statements? Pah!

EDIT: *chuckles* Sorry. Wasn't paying any attention - I don't know many living philosophers. Let me see...not Derrida. Heh. Look into Nozick. He's kinda famous. I hated the book I read by him, though.

Many of the living philosophers seem to be working on animal rights or similarly silly things. Stick with the dead.

Here's an interesting story I ran across in a brief search:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=315976

What a kook, huh?
 
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lazycritic said:
Nietzsche(always forget that pesky s). Close second is Kierkegaard.

I wouldn't called Kierkegaard recently dead since he died in 1855.

My favorite right now is a professor I had recently, his name is Sami Hawi and he did great work in the philosophy of psychology and Islamic philosophy.
 
i don't know enough living philosophers to have a favorite.

i liked thomas kuhn, he died in '96, that's kinda close...
 
lazycritic said:
Nietzsche(always forget that pesky s). Close second is Kierkegaard.

Logical syllogisms and categorical statements? Pah!

EDIT: *chuckles* Sorry. Wasn't paying any attention - I don't know many living philosophers. Let me see...not Derrida. Heh. Look into Nozick. He's kinda famous. I hated the book I read by him, though.

Many of the living philosophers seem to be working on animal rights or similarly silly things. Stick with the dead.

Here's an interesting story I ran across in a brief search:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=315976

What a kook, huh?


Anthony Flew was a philosopher who finally realized that there is ZERO scientific evidence that life originated on this planet by random chance. Natural selection, as observable science, pertains to life only after the DNA molecule already exists. The more that is learned about DNA, the less likely it originated by itself.

The real question is: WHAT is the nature of the 'Higher Power' that influenced the origin of DNA. Is it the Christian God? Anthony Flew thought not. We are part of a really big Universe that has been around for a very long time. Perhaps there is some some 'Higher power' that we have not yet discovered. I wish Anthony Flew were still here to assist in the quest.
 
sd01g said:
Anthony Flew was a philosopher who finally realized that there is ZERO scientific evidence that life originated on this planet by random chance. Natural selection, as observable science, pertains to life only after the DNA molecule already exists. The more that is learned about DNA, the less likely it originated by itself.

The real question is: WHAT is the nature of the 'Higher Power' that influenced the origin of DNA. Is it the Christian God? Anthony Flew thought not. We are part of a really big Universe that has been around for a very long time. Perhaps there is some some 'Higher power' that we have not yet discovered. I wish Anthony Flew were still here to assist in the quest.

Yeah, sure, if you want a cell to miraculously pop out of thin air. It's generally agreed that it was probaby a cumulative process.
 
Im my own :)

Wow, its really been a long time since my last post... Anyway, more to the point. I think its better not to have favorites when it comes to things like philosophers. Its like politicians, some you will tend to agree with the most, but even the worst can come up with something good also. I don't like all the philosophy of some people and i don't think you can really compare one persons philosophy to another, its all on a different level, so how can you judge 2 people on 2 completely different things. Anyway, stupid rant that probably makes no sense...
 
My faves:
#1 Les Sleeth
#2 Paul Davies
#3 Peter Carruthers
 
If you're after moral philosophy based on utilitarianism, Peter Singer is well worth a look.
 
  • #10
Dennett. What I've read about Singer, I like.
 
  • #11
Jessica Simpson.
 
  • #12
I think Anthony Flew was feeling the calling of death and perhaps wanted to leave the world with a feeling that the universe's mysteries were solved. Anyway, his conversion does not make atheism or theism more valid.

The more that is learned about DNA, the less likely it originated by itself.

Can you please elaborate on what you are saying here?
 
  • #13
I would fancy myself as a philosopher and therefore give the obvious preference to my thoughts lol... However I do not like these "established" philosophers as a lot of them are a bit too dry for me. Descartes had humour and he addressed a lot of things that are somewhat valid. Yet I think Mendeleev was the smartest human being.

Yes Mendeleev and Maxwell were scientists but that's coz their notions and thoughts were proven to be "true". Which validates the fact that indeed they were real truth seekers and have also contributed a great amount to our knowledge of what is the physical world. I personally take my hats off too them.

personally I think scientists are the best sorts of philosophers because the humanist stuff really is boring for me to read.
 
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  • #14
Greg Bernhardt said:
I wouldn't called Kierkegaard recently dead since he died in 1855.

My favorite right now is a professor I had recently, his name is Sami Hawi and he did great work in the philosophy of psychology and Islamic philosophy.


Greg try Mohammad Asad. I think you might like his writings, him or Majid Fakhry.
 

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