The 7 most important philosophers, according to today's debate
The debate over the 7 most important philosophers reveals a contested canon: from the Socrates-Plato-Aristotle trio to Hegesias's pessimist list. Who decides?
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Top 7 philosophers: a canon that can't agree on itself
Well into the 21st century, the list of the seven most important philosophers remains a battleground. No one can even agree on whether Socrates, Plato and Aristotle should top it. A recent review of the proposals shows that consensus is a chimera.
The traditional canon: untouchable?
For a majority current, the top 3 is non-negotiable: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Beyond that, the disagreement is total. The lists include Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Hume, Descartes, Schopenhauer, St. Thomas Aquinas or Kierkegaard, but always with a continental European philosophy bias. Those who defend this canon justify it by the foundational influence of the Greek triad.
The pessimist and Eastern alternative
Against the official narrative, voices emerge denouncing Eurocentrism. Spanish philosopher Carlos Blanco, with an IQ of 160, placed Nagarjuna among the six greatest, opening the door to Eastern thought. Others claim Heraclitus as the true genius who posited a mental model of nature. And some propose a radically different list: Hegesias, Al-Ma'arri, Mainländer, Bahnsen, von Hartmann, Caraco and Benatar, all pessimists or nihilists, as the true greats.
Outstanding disputes
Hume's absence outrages some. Hegel's inclusion is criticized by others. Some even joke about the presence of Paulo Coelho or El Fari. What the debate proves is that philosophy is still alive precisely because there is no definitive ranking. Who, after all, decides what deserves to be called philosophy?
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Well into the 21st century, the list of the seven most important philosophers remains a battleground. No one can even agree on whether Socrates, Plato and Aristotle should top it. A recent review of the proposals shows that consensus is a chimera.
The traditional canon: untouchable?
For a majority current, the top 3 is non-negotiable: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Beyond that, the disagreement is total. The lists include Kant, Hegel, Nietzsche, Hume, Descartes, Schopenhauer, St. Thomas Aquinas or Kierkegaard, but always with a continental European philosophy bias. Those who defend this canon justify it by the foundational influence of the Greek triad.
The pessimist and Eastern alternative
Against the official narrative, voices emerge denouncing Eurocentrism. Spanish philosopher Carlos Blanco, with an IQ of 160, placed Nagarjuna among the six greatest, opening the door to Eastern thought. Others claim Heraclitus as the true genius who posited a mental model of nature. And some propose a radically different list: Hegesias, Al-Ma'arri, Mainländer, Bahnsen, von Hartmann, Caraco and Benatar, all pessimists or nihilists, as the true greats.
Outstanding disputes
Hume's absence outrages some. Hegel's inclusion is criticized by others. Some even joke about the presence of Paulo Coelho or El Fari. What the debate proves is that philosophy is still alive precisely because there is no definitive ranking. Who, after all, decides what deserves to be called philosophy?
Most shared
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (19 replies).
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