Who Was Arguably the Best Philosopher of Their Time?

The question of who was ‘arguably the best philosopher of their time’ is one of those endlessly fascinating debates because it doesn’t have a clear universally agreed-upon answer. It’s like asking about the best artist or the best writer—there’s so much subjectivity involved. But I get it; you’re probably looking for some strong candidates based on historical influence, originality, or maybe even their lasting impact on the way we think.

Key Philosophical Epochs and Figures

Each era in the history of philosophy has its own titans, and we’ll explore a selection of these incredible thinkers.

Classical Era – Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle

You can’t start talking about philosophical greatness without mentioning these three Greek titans. Socrates with his relentless questioning and the famous claim that “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.” is a figure whose impact is still felt today. His method of dialogue, known as the Socratic method, continues to be a cornerstone in academic inquiry.

Plato’s work ranges from metaphysics to ethics, politics to epistemology, and his Academy became the template for modern education. Plato’s dialogs are a treasure trove of philosophical discussions, introducing concepts like the Theory of Forms, which continues to fascinate scholars.

Aristotle, Plato’s student, arguably surpassed him in terms of systematic thought. Aristotle’s contributions to logic, ethics, political theory, and biology are monumental. His logic system, which forms the basis of Western logical reasoning, is still used today. His works laid the foundation for modern science, ethics, and political theory. Despite the influence of both Socrates and Plato, Aristotle often gets the edge due to the sheer breadth and systematic nature of his contributions.

Middle Ages – Thomas Aquinas

Moving forward to the medieval period, philosophy took on a more theological turn. Thomas Aquinas is the standout figure here, blending Aristotelian philosophy with Christian theology. His monumental work, the Summa Theologica, tried to reconcile faith with reason, a huge issue in the medieval period. If we are talking about the influence on Western thought, Aquinas is hard to beat. His ideas on natural law and his synthesis of faith and reason continue to shape discussions in ethics and theology.

Enlightenment – Immanuel Kant

The Enlightenment period was full of great thinkers—Descartes, Hume, Rousseau—but if you had to pick one, Immanuel Kant is probably the most important. Kant completely revolutionized philosophy with his The Critique of Pure Reason, where he argued that our knowledge is shaped not just by the world but by how our minds structure our experience of the world. His moral philosophy, particularly the concept of the “categorical imperative,” has been hugely influential in ethics. It’s hard to overstate how much of modern philosophy owes to Kant.

19th Century – Hegel, Nietzsche, and Marx

In the 19th century, philosophy became even more varied, but three names stand out: Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Karl Marx.

Hegel was monumental in shaping the idea that history unfolds through dialectical processes, and his ideas influenced later existentialists and Marxists. His Hegel ’s philosophical contributions weren’t just theoretical; they were revolutionary and have had a massive impact on world history, especially in the 20th century.

Speaking of which, Karl Marx’s concepts, such as class struggle, have transformed the way we understand economics and politics. His works, particularly The Communist Manifesto, have had a profound and lasting impact on modern society and political thought.

Nietzsche welcomed the critique of morality, religion, and modernity, offering a philosophy of life-affirmation through concepts like the “will to power.” Although his philosophy is more provocative than systematic, it has been enormously influential in existentialism and postmodernism.

20th Century – Heidegger, Wittgenstein, and Sartre

In the 20th century, philosophy became more fragmented, with each thinker asking unique and challenging questions. Martin Heidegger and Ludwig Wittgenstein stand out:

Heidegger’s work on Being in Being and Time is a landmark in existentialism and phenomenology, though his work can be incredibly difficult to read. Nonetheless, it is regarded as a significant contribution to philosophy and literary theory.

Wittgenstein’s revolutionary works in the Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus and Philosophical Investigations showcase his shift from logical positivism to the concept of ordinary language philosophy, thereby influencing numerous contemporary debates in the philosophy of language and meaning.

Jean-Paul Sartre occupies an important place as the father of existentialism. His ideas about freedom, responsibility, and the absurd have had a huge cultural and philosophical impact, making him a key figure in understanding the dilemmas and challenges of modern existence.

Modern Day – Contemporaries and Their Impact

It is harder to say who is the “best” philosopher of today because we are still too close to evaluate who will stand the test of time. However, contemporary philosophers like Judith Butler, John Rawls, and Michel Foucault have had an enormous impact on social and political theory. Rawls, for instance, transformed how we think about justice, while Foucault’s analysis of power structures has influenced disciplines far beyond philosophy.

Conclusion – The Question Remains

Ultimately, philosophy is not a competition; each philosopher asks the right questions for their time. The debate of who is the “best” philosopher is ultimately subjective and can vary depending on the context and period. So to answer the question: Who’s your “best” philosopher? That is the more interesting question.