16 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 25: Spinoza and Monism Touchstones: Monism and the Material-Spiritual Framework The Dutch philosopher Spinoza was a lens grinder by profession, a proponent of Rationalism, and an early founder of Enlightenment. My favorite concept of Spinoza’s is that God is nature, and nature is God. For me, whenever I read […]
Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677, aged 44) Read More »
94 Generations Ago Zeno is considered the founder of the Stoic school of philosophy. When events occur in life, people react. Life is a series of events and immediate reactions. A stoic introduces a third middle step, a judge step. On their life journey, a stoic strives for a series of event-judge-react experiences. When you introduce
Zeno of Citium (334-262 BCE) Read More »
The Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras was born in Ancient Greece on the island Samos which is about a mile off the coast of modern Turkey. History looks at Pythagoras as an educator and philosopher as well as a cult leader. He discovered the musical octave, used deductive reasoning, and embraced an early version of
Pythagoras (570-495 BCE) Read More »
67 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 15: Augustine, Time, and War Touchstones: Chronoception and Eternity Augustine is known as the father of Western religious scholarship. He reconciled the science and philosophy of Aristotle with church beliefs. My favorite quotes:Â The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page. Right
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 CE) Read More »
20 Generations Ago (from 2020 CE) Montaigne was one of the most significant philosophers of the French Renaissance. In addition to furthering skepticism, he also extended stoicism. He also extended literary style by promoting the essay format and by breaking norms of his day. For example, talking about himself in his own writing. My favorite translated Montaigne
Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) Read More »
12 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 28: Kant and Kantianism Touchstones: Transcendental Idealism and Categorical Imperative The German philosopher Immanuel Kant (22 April 1724 – 12 February 1804) was a central figure of the Enlightenment which put reason as the tool of choice when discussing God, nature, and humanity. Some of my favorite translated quotes
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) Read More »
The stoic philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero was one of Rome’s greatest orators and had an immense influence on the Latin language. Some of my favorite translated Cicero quotes: If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the
Cicero (106-43 BCE) Read More »
Epictetus stressed that philosophy is a way of life and not simply analytical. The stoic philosopher Epictetus was cited by Marcus Aurelius in his Meditations. Epictetus was one of the future emperor’s teacher’s during childhood up to the age of 14. Although no writings by Epictetus are known, his students documented his beliefs and sayings
Epictetus (50-135 CE) Read More »
94 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 11: Epicurus and Epicureanism Touchstones: Agnosticism and Pleasure Epicurus founded Epicureanism in 307 BCE. The goal of Epicureanism is to help people attain a happy (eudaimonic), tranquil life characterized by ataraxia (free from fear) and aponia (free from pain). He authored over 300 books, scrolls, none of which survived the
Epicurus (341-270 BCE) Read More »
95 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 10: Pyrrho of Elis and Skepticism  Touchstones: Skepticism and Social Constructs Pyrrho, the skeptic, believed no one knows anything. Everything can be questioned. The best approach is to keep an open mind. Like Socrates, Pyrrho himself left no writings. We know of his teachings through his students and later
Pyrrho (360-270 BCE) Read More »
96 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 9: Aristotle and Empiricism Touchstones: Syllogisms, Rationalism, Empiricism, Logic, Logical Fallacies, & Eudaimonia Aristotle was the greatest Greek philosopher and covered nearly all subjects including physics, biology, zoology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, theatre, music, rhetoric, psychology, linguistics, economics, politics, meteorology, geology, and government. His Aristotelian philosophy characterized by
Aristotle (384 – 322 BCE) Read More »
98 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 8: Plato and Rationalism Touchstones: Reflective Inquiry and Ignorance is Bliss Plato was a Greek philosopher born in Athens. He was a student of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle. Plato’s Theory of Forms asserts that the reality is only a shadow, or image, of the true reality of
Plato (428-347 BCE) Read More »
Thales of Miletus was a Greek philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer. Considered by many including Aristotle to be the first philosopher in the Greek tradition. He is also considered the father of science by many. Some of my favorite translated sayings are: Know thyself. A multitude of words is no proof of a prudent mind.
Thales of Miletus (624 – 546 BCE) Read More »
Socrates was a Greek philosopher and is frequently credited as the founder of Western philosophy. He left no writings, but his student Plato documented his philosophy. Some of my favorite translated sayings attributed to Socrates: Enjoy yourself — it’s later than you think. He who is not content with what they have will not be
Socrates (469 – 399 BCE) Read More »
76 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 13: Marcus Aurelius and Stoicism Touchstones: Cognitive Reframing, Negative Visualization, and Cognitive Distancing Some of my favorite translated meditations include: Learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference. The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
Marcus Aurelius (121 – 180 CE) Read More »
103 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 5: Confucius and Confucianism Touchstones: Normalcy and Schemas Confucius is remembered for his practical applied philosophy. His sayings are a reflection of many centuries of common sense sayings making his philosophy deeply Chinese. My favorite sayings: The man who knows he can, and the man who knows he cannot,
Confucius (551-479 BCE, died age 72) Read More »
Bartholomew Legate was the last man burned at the stake in Smithfield where Roger Williams grew up. Just like Roger’s father, Bartholomew was in the clothing industry and may have interacted with Roger’s father at his shop. Either way, Roger Williams was about ten years old when Bartholomew was burned at the stake for simply
Bartholomew Legate Burned at the Stake Read More »
Explore insights into science, philosophy, and history. This community features the writings of Mike Prestwood, a natural philosopher. This throwback title signifies his dedication to weaving together science, philosophy, and history. Engage in insightful discussions in a moderated, safe space where the realms of the irrational and unknowable are respectfully acknowledged but left at the doorway. Ready to connect with like-minded thinkers?
