History of Philosophy

Throughout the semester our class has explored a chronological look at just some of the philosophers whose works have been published over time. Throughout the readings reoccurring themes, such as religion, wisdom, knowledge, reality and life occur and each philosopher offering their own opinions. Given these works, a timeline of viewpoints can be developed and can give a decent view of the shape of philosophy over time, as well as offering insight to how the time period and location may have shaped the views of philosophers.

One of the most surprising themes many of the philosophers had in common was religion. Each viewed it in their own unique way. Starting with Aristotle who was born in 384 B.C. and developed his views in Greece during a time where polytheism was standard and Christianity did not exist. Aristotle believed in eternity and an afterlife much like most Greeks as well as Plato, his teacher.

Descartes, a 17th century philosopher originally from France, had views of the world and life that quite possibly were influenced by his experience as soldier and a thirst for proof of everything he had ever been told. He distrusted God blaming him for all of the falsehoods he had experienced in his lifetime; however, Descartes also later contradicts himself by coming to the conclusion that God is incapable of deception, but is capable of making mistakes, since he made man defective which is what causes the deceit.

Then Kierkegaard, a 19th century philosopher born in Denmark, must be considered. During his life he was likely influenced by a lifetime of suffering from the deaths of his wives and all of his sons, for which he blames God punishing him for his sins. He chooses to tackle Christianity specifically and a subseq...

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...believe everything without searching for the knowledge of the truth. In a way I feel Abbott’s Flatland is almost a good overview of many of the themes and proving the timelessness of the subject.

Overall this semester has yielded a chance to change perspectives on life, reality, knowledge, wisdom, and religion. From Plato to Descartes, Heidegger to Abbott, the readings give an eye-opening view of differences between regions, places and times that all can be tied together through common themes. Despite their differing views, the goals of the philosophers and their ideas that often surpassed their lifetimes still cause people to reflect on their versions of reality, thus raising numerous questions. The ease with which philosophical readings can relate even now to numerous parts of society, tells a true tale of a subject that will timelessly outlast many others.