Great Philosophers 100

Author: Peter J. King
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Socrates once said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." Join influential philosophers from ancient Greece, China, and the modern era in examining life—it’s a delightful journey. What are the essence of good and evil? What is the meaning of existence, and who are we? For thousands of years, countless philosophers have strived to answer such questions, weighing every thought and rational choice. Who were these men and women we call "great philosophers"? This book engagingly describes the lives and thoughts of 100 philosophers who changed the way we view the world. From it, we discover the real stories of the greatest thinkers and philosophers in the world. The book arranges these 100 philosophers in chronological order, detailing their personal lives, summarizing their intellectual development, and highlighting some of their conclusions. It’s not a quick read. The magazine Dushu (Reading) praised this book in its 7th issue, with philosophy experts hailing it for providing high-quality introductions to 100 philosophers in history within just 170 pages. The author Peter J. King has done an excellent job of distilling their insights, and the book is clearly worth reading. Among the selected philosophers, nine are from China. However, in modern times, only Feng Youlan is included. Either the tradition hasn’t developed further, or it reached its peak over 2,000 years ago. Compared to the rational and (seeking knowledge) debates and practical tone of Western philosophy, Eastern philosophy is more about personal enlightenment. The meaning of philosophy lies in helping individuals achieve a broader perspective and focuses on cultivation. This makes Eastern philosophy seem more vague and universal, easier to relate to and understand personally. The summaries or quotes of each philosopher’s thoughts are the most direct stimuli for personal reading—they are all brilliant. You don’t need to know much; you can resonate with them through intuitive experience. For example, the British philosopher Wiggins said: "The greater the obstacles nature or others place in our path, the dimmer the future seems, and the less meaningful the things we perceive. Ultimately, meaning depends partly on expectations of outcomes, and expectations depend on past results. This is a true reflection of pragmatic realism." Questions that have troubled philosophers for centuries remain major topics in philosophy today and are reflected in current debates. Every day, as we read articles, we wonder: What justifies a war? What makes a pipeline construction project viable? Doctors debate euthanasia, stem cells, and in vitro fertilization; politicians must decide which priorities—education, healthcare, or defense—should come first; and our children ask us questions we can’t always answer. Every day, we are forced to make decisions based on the belief systems we grew up with. But are these beliefs correct? Are they unquestionable? Are they the ones who pass them down unquestioningly? What influences your choices is not your goals but the means by which you achieve them. Philosophy doesn’t teach you what to think but how to think. It studies the meanings and principles that underpin behavior, thought, and cognition. Therefore, philosophy is a method—and in this book, the included philosophers not only left behind their conclusions but also passed down their reasoning processes. Although the general public finds philosophy obscure, its study is not an isolated endeavor. Through dialogue, intellectual exchange, and especially through responses to criticism, philosophy progresses. It achieves significant advancements by directly confronting and refuting the challenges posed by other philosophers. Some sections of this book trace the origins of certain schools of thought or philosophical methods, linking thinkers across generations. After learning their perspectives, you might try forming your own conclusions and discussing them with friends.