Who's your favourite living Philsopher

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around participants sharing their favorite living philosophers or recently deceased ones, exploring various philosophical perspectives and contributions. The scope includes personal preferences, critiques of contemporary philosophy, and reflections on the nature of philosophical inquiry.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a preference for philosophers like Nietzsche and Kierkegaard, although one notes that Kierkegaard is not recently deceased.
  • One participant mentions Sami Hawi as a favorite for his work in the philosophy of psychology and Islamic philosophy.
  • Another participant reflects on the lack of knowledge about living philosophers and mentions Thomas Kuhn, who is deceased.
  • Several participants critique contemporary philosophers, suggesting that many focus on topics like animal rights, which they find uninteresting.
  • Anthony Flew is discussed in relation to his views on the origin of life and the concept of a 'Higher Power,' with differing opinions on his contributions and legacy.
  • One participant argues against having favorites among philosophers, suggesting that each philosopher's work is unique and not easily comparable.
  • Others mention philosophers such as Les Sleeth, Paul Davies, Peter Carruthers, and Peter Singer, highlighting their contributions to moral philosophy and utilitarianism.
  • Some express a preference for scientific thinkers like Mendeleev and Maxwell, viewing them as superior philosophers due to their empirical contributions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus on their favorite philosophers, with multiple competing views and preferences expressed throughout the discussion. There is also disagreement on the relevance and quality of contemporary philosophical work.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions of 'living philosophers' and the relevance of contributions from those who are deceased. There are also varying opinions on the significance of philosophical inquiry in relation to scientific discovery.

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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?
 
Last edited:
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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