What's you favorite Philosopher(s)?

Lyrs · Post by **Lyrs** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 3:02 pm

Yeah.

Rene DeCartes - I think, therefore I am.

Silver Moon - she's great!

/end

Cardinal.jpg · Post by **Cardinal.jpg** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 3:47 pm

This is a pretty high brow topic isn't it?

I have not delved very deep into philosophy yet and as such feel that picking a favourite philosopher would be naive of me. I am hoping to learn more but it will take time before a reasonable reason for a particular favourite can be developed.

ErMaC · Post by **ErMaC** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 3:53 pm

I'd have to say the most interesting one I've read would be Nietzsche (yes I had to look it up to remember how to spell it, so sue me). One of the easier to understand existentialists, and although his whole concept of the ubermensch can get pretty out there. Heidegger is also interesting but you do not want to read him without someone to ask questions to because you will not understand wtf he's saying otherwise - it's thick stuff.

As for non-existentialists I'm kinda partial to Pascal.

trythil · Post by **trythil** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 4:01 pm

It's hard to pick a "favorite" philosopher out of who I know. Currently, however, I'm reading The Art of War by Sun Tzu, so that's that, I guess. I also find Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism particularly interesting, even thought I don't agree with pieces of it.

Lyrs wrote: Silver Moon - she's great!

Damn fanboys...

jonmartensen · Post by **jonmartensen** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 4:35 pm

I think, therefore I am... I think

I won't say who my favorite philosopher is, so far as I am not a phnilosophy major and I don't look at a philosophers speceific argument and asign that as the philosophers characteristic. But there are a few books that I have enjoyed which expouse the authors philosophy and/or views on life.

Ayn Rand - Atlas Shrugged:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While it centers around the virtues of capitalism I can see Ayn Rand's views on Objectivism come through. But then again, the book is about capitalism and ethics, so how could objectivism not be in it.

Franz Kafka - a collection of his short stories:

This is a very sureal writer, and while he deals more with the mental state than philosophy, it is still an interesting read.

I read a nice collection of aristotles works this last summer and a book entitled "The Minds Eye". I have not been able to find this book again (unfortunatly) it did a very good job on discussing "consciousness" and the workings of the mind.

Flint the Dwarf · Post by **Flint the Dwarf** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 4:41 pm

I would have to agree with Ermac and say Friedrich Nietzche. Frankly, I love the philosophy of existentialism even if I don't necessary believe in every aspect of it. As for others, I like Thoreau and Emerson. Transcendentalism isn't fully functional, but I like it nonetheless

.

For those who know of Nietzche, listen to the song "Punishment Divine" by Blind Guardian. Sure, I'm supporting one of my favorite bands, but this is also one of the most philosophically deep songs I've heard.

y2kwizard · Post by **y2kwizard** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 4:56 pm

I have three: Larry, Curly, and Moe

The Non-Professional · Post by **The Non-Professional** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 6:01 pm

Rei ayanami, that shit it teh shiz nit. Those i am poems and other stuff could trip you out.

Balrog the Clown · Post by **Balrog the Clown** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 6:59 pm

Nietzsche kicks ass. I agree with him a whole shit load. Hell, some comic ideas of mine have been based on the "Ubermench (Over Man)" idea. For those deprived of Nietzsche, the Ubermench is THE ONLY realy smart person there is. While some are strong, the majority of people are stupid and weak, relying on religion or science to explain things and do not wish to look towards themselves for answers. The Ubermench can do this easily and like the strong doesn't have to help the weak. The weak are screwed because they put it on themselves.

I wish I were the Ubermench.

There's ALOT more, but I won't dive into it. It took the entire last three weeks of Philosophy class to explain all about Nietzsche. The teacher even said this was because he saved the best for last. Nietzsche IS the best, but do know that he wasn't the Ubermench. He even said he wasn't. (Before we went insane)

Oh, Rei Ayanami never said ANYTHING like that. She was preached upon, for Shit's sake. The maker of Eva did all that philosophy stuff. While it is definitely interesting, it is actually obvious stuff that people just never seem to address because they've never thought they've had to. I've always known I'm not YOU, but I never had to remind myself. This is what makes it so interesting. It reminds you of something you probably NEVER put any thought into. Simple as that.

Most of it wasn't even philiosophy. It was a psychological evaltuation of the characters so the veiwer knew what made them tick and tried to tie up some loose ends in their psyche. The philosophy stuff was just part of this.

I've typed too much. My ass itches. I must scratch it now.

kthulhu · Post by **kthulhu** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 7:17 pm

I just create my way of living on the fly, and don't read much philosophy, so I can't say I have a favorite philosopher. A lot of philosophy, in my view, especially existentialism from what I know of it, seems to just be a replacement for religion for pseudo-intellectual types who are "too cool" for mainstream religions and can't handle the so-called lack of moral and mental structure not being religious (like moi) supposedly creates. Basically, if you can't stand listening to a religious preacher, then why live your life according to what some crackpot writer says?

Additionally, my head seems to like to run parallel thought processes, and I can't just settle on one idea or path easily. I have to use whatever idea or thought seems appropriate for whatever situation is at hand, instead of having a default for everything.

Anyways, the best thing to do is just enjoy life, and not overanalyze or seek a reason for it. It's stupid to waste upwards of 120 years, irregardless of what happens after you die, on mental torment over questions and ideas.