Philosophy Terms And Figures

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empiricism

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Belief that all knowledge is derived from experience.

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existentialism

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The belief that existence only acquires value and meaning through active reflection on one's own existence.

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idealism

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Belief that the so-called external world exists first and foremost in the perceiver's mind.

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logical positivism

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Belief that a concept is meaningful only if it can be empirically verified.

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neoplatonism

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Rebirth of Platonic thought in Europe from AD 250-1250. Incorporated the ideas of Aristotle, Pythagoras, and others into the teachings of Plato.

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rationalism

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Belief that the world can be known through reason alone.

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tabula rasa

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Belief put forth by John Locke that the human mind begins as a blank slate.

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utilitarianism

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System of ethics based on maximizing the collective good.

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Aquinas, St. Thomas (1225-1274)

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13th century Christian philosopher. Wrote "The Five Ways," which outlined five proofs for the existence of God.

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Aristotle (384-322 BC)

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Plato's student who criticized the theory of Forms and developed a systematized logic.

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Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

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4th and 5th century bishop, philosopher, and neoplatonist.

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Berkeley, George (1685-1753)

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Irish idealist philosopher who viewed mental representation and impressions as fundamental.

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Descartes, Rene (1596-1650)

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Important French rationalist philosopher and mathematician. Saw mind and body as distinct (Cartesian dualism). He is also famous for the quote "I think, therefore I am."

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Hegel, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich (1770-1831)

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German idealist philosopher known for his theory of dialectic: "The thesis combines with the antithesis to form the synthesis of the two." Also known for his teleological orientation.

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Heidegger, Martin (1889-1976)

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German philosopher who had a major influence of existentialism.

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Hobbes, Thomas (1588-1679)

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British materialist philosopher who viewed human existence as "nasty, brutish, and short."

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Hume, David (1711-1776)

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Scottish empiricist philosopher. Questioned the necessity of the connection between cause and effect.

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Husserl, Edmund (1859-1938)

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German philosopher known as the father of phenomenology.

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James, William (1842-1910)

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American empiricist philosopher and psychologist. Known for his description of the flow of ideas as a "stream of consciousness."

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Kant, Immanuel (1724-1804)

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German idealist philosopher best known for the "categorical imperative," which states that a moral agent acts only in ways that could become universal laws.

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Kierkegaard, Soren (1813-1855)

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Danish existentialist philosopher.

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Leibnitz, Gottfried Wilhelm von (1646-1716)

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German rationalist philosopher and mathematician.

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Locke, John (1632-1704)

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English empiricist philosopher who put forth many of the basic ideas of empiricism, including tabula rasa. Important figure in the Age of Enlightenment.

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Mill, John Stuart (1806-1873)

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English empiricist philosopher known for his ethical writings on Utilitarianism.

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Nietzsche, Friedrich (1844-1900)

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German philosopher best known for his concept of Ubermensch (superman).

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Occam, William (c.1285-c.1349)

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14th century English philosopher who developed the notion of "parsimony." According to Occam's Razor, simpler explanations are preferable to complex ones.

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Pascal, Blaise (1623-1662)

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French philosopher, mathematician, and theologian best known for "Pascal's Bargain," which argues for belief in the existence of God.

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Plato (c. 427-347 BC)

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Greek philosopher who studied under Socrates and developed a theory of Forms in which things in this world are mere reflections or shadows of objects of knowledge, which are universals. His writings form the basis of much of Western philosophy.

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Pythagoras (c. 570-c. 495 BC)

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Pre-Socratic philosopher and mathematician.

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Rousseau, Jean Jaqcues (1712-1778)

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French Romantic philosopher and philosopher of education.

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Russel, Bertrand (1872-1970)

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British philosopher and linguist.

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Ryle, Gilbert (1900-1976)

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British philosopher of language and logical positivist.

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Sartre, Jean Paul (1905-1980)

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French existentialist philosopher.

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Socrates (c. 470-399 BC)

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Greek philosopher whose oral teachings were transcribed in part by his student, Plato.

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St. Anselm of Canterbury (c. 1033-1109)

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Christian philosopher. Developed an ontological argument for the existence of God.

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Wittgenstein, Ludwig (1889-1951)

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Austrian philosopher who began as a logical positivist and later developed important ideas in the philosophy of language.