Famous philosophers and their guiding principles had a significant impact on the development of modern society by seeking significance in ordinary experiences and organizing their ideas into a coherent system that was recorded in plays, books, manuscripts, letters, and other forms of media.
The word “philosophy” comes from the Greek word philosophia, which means “love of wisdom” and was first used in the sixth century B.C. by pre-Socratic philosophers like Pythagoras.
In this article, we will learn about 12 Famous Philosophers and take a look at their exceptional Guiding Principles.
Let’s dive right in!
Famous Philosophers and Their Guiding Principles
List of Famous Philosophers and Guiding Principles
The following is the list of famous Philosopher and Guiding Principles:
| Name |
Country-Date |
Guiding Principle |
Famous Quote |
| Confucius |
China-551-479 |
Success is a work in progress. Keep moving towards your dream no matter how long it takes. |
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” |
| Socrates |
Greece-469-399 |
Nothing will change unless you make the change yourself. |
“Let him that would move the world first move himself.” |
| Plato |
Greece-428-348 |
Be kind and charitable to others, and you’ll inspire strength within your own endeavors. |
“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.” |
| Aristotle |
Greece-384-322 |
Don’t give up, but continue to work hard and strive for greatness until you excel. |
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” |
| Dante |
Italy-1265-1321 |
Pursue any creative passions, no matter how trivial they feel; they might spark success. |
“From a little spark may burst a flame.” |
| Pascal |
France-1623-1662 |
Sometimes, you have to let logic go and follow your heart to realize your creative potential. |
“We know the truth, not only by the reason, but also by the heart.” |
| John Locke |
England-1632-1704 |
Strive to be better by continuing to educate yourself and try new approaches to achieving your goals. |
“The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.” |
| Voltaire |
France-1694-1778 |
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Enjoy some of the more fun aspects of life to avoid burnout. |
“Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.” |
| Immanuel Kant |
Germany-1724-1804 |
If you’re a painter, keep painting. If you’re a singer, practice singing. Better your talent through experiences. |
“It is beyond a doubt that all our knowledge begins with experience.” |
| Mary Wollstonecraft |
England-1759-1797 |
There’s never a better time than today to start working towards your goals, even if they feel lofty. |
“The beginning is always today.” |
| Ayn Rand |
Russia-1905-1982 |
Stop comparing yourself to others and work hard to achieve your own definition of success. |
“A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.” |
| Simone De Beauvoir |
France-1908-1986 |
Put in the time, effort, and commitment to get your desired level of achievement. |
“One is not born a genius, one becomes a genius.” |
What is Philosophy?
Philosophy can be described as the rational, abstract, and methodical consideration of reality. People have been doing this for a long time, from ancient Greece until now. Throughout these years, smart thinkers of different ages have come up with new ideas and helped in many areas like politics, math, stories, art, and science. Here, we’ll talk about some of these important thinkers, what they believed in, and what we can learn from their smart and forward-thinking ways.
12 Famous Philosophers and Their Guiding Principles
1. Confucius (551–479 B.C.)
Confucius
Confucius, also known as Kong Qui, was a wise Chinese teacher and leader. He is often called the father of Eastern thought. His teachings were all about creating good relationships between people, making sure education was important, and promoting fairness and honesty.
Guiding Principle
Confucius believed in a principle called ren, which means loving others. He thought that if we treat others the way we want to be treated, the world would be a better place.
2. Socrates (c. 469–399 B.C.)
Socrates
Socrates, a clever Greek philosopher, was a key figure in shaping Western thought. Even though he didn’t write anything himself, his students Plato and Xenophon shared his ideas. Socrates used a method of questioning to help people discover the truth.
Guiding Principle
Socrates believed that philosophy should make life better for everyone. He thought the more we know, the better we can make choices that bring true happiness.
3. Plato (c. 428–348 B.C.)
Plato, a Greek philosopher and student of Socrates, used logical thinking to seek knowledge. He started the Academy in Athens, one of the first schools in the Western world.
Plato
Guiding Principle
Plato explored justice, beauty, and equality using logic. His teachings covered many areas like politics, language, and the development of the universe.
4. Aristotle (384–322 B.C.)
Aristotle, one of the greatest thinkers, learned from Plato and later taught Alexander the Great. He believed in learning through observation and data.
Aristotle
Guiding Principle
Aristotle’s knowledge covered a wide range of subjects. He thought logical arguments should use deductive reasoning to reach conclusions based on true propositions.
5. Dante (1265–1321)
Dante, an Italian poet, wrote The Divine Comedy, a famous trilogy about the Christian afterlife. His work included discussions on moral philosophy and political thought.
Dante
Guiding Principle
Dante’s writings covered rhetoric, moral philosophy, and political ideas.
6. Pascal (1623–1662)
Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician and philosopher, contributed to the theory of probabilities. He defended certain religious beliefs and emphasized experiencing God through the heart.
Guiding Principle
Pascal wrote letters defending religious ideas and believed in feeling God in the heart rather than through reason.
7. John Locke (1632–1704)
John Locke, an English philosopher, laid the foundation for limited government. His work, Essay Concerning Human Understanding, analyzed how the mind acquires knowledge.
Guiding Principle
Locke believed we gain ideas through our experiences in the world. His ideas influenced later philosophers like Voltaire and Rousseau.
8. Voltaire (1694–1778)
Voltaire, a French Enlightenment writer, was known for his writings on religion and politics. He championed civil rights and freedom of religion, speech, and fair trials.
Guiding Principle
Voltaire questioned the government and church but advocated for civil rights and freedom.
9. Immanuel Kant (1724–1804)
Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, focused on metaphysics and the limits of human knowledge. He emphasized combining reason with experience.
Guiding Principle
Kant addressed the question, “What can we know?” and believed we can only know things possible to experience.
10. Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–1797)
Mary Wollstonecraft, an English writer, fought for women’s equality. Her work, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, argued for women’s fundamental rights and equal education.
Guiding Principle
Wollstonecraft advocated for women’s rights and believed in equal education for men and women.
11. Ayn Rand (1905–1982)
Ayn Rand, a Russian-American philosopher, promoted individual self-interest and Objectivism. Her philosophy focused on individualism, protecting rights, and limited government.
Guiding Principle
Rand emphasized individualism, protecting individual rights, and limiting government.
12. Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986)
Simone de Beauvoir, a French writer and philosopher, influenced the feminist movement. Her work, The Second Sex, discussed women’s history and oppression.
Guiding Principle
De Beauvoir’s philosophies were influenced by historical materialism and idealism, emphasizing the importance of women’s rights.
Conclusion on Philosophers and Their Guiding Principles
Throughout the history of human civilization, philosophy has significantly influenced society. Philosophers have used methods like questioning, critical thinking, logical arguments, and organized explanations to explore practical and real-life questions. Their writings, from ancient philosophers like Pythagoras to contemporary leaders, provide practical applications of some of the most brilliant minds’ thoughts.
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FAQs on 12 Famous Philosophers and Their Guiding Principles
What is the guiding principle of the philosophy of Socrates?
According to Socrates, philosophy ought to produce useful outcomes for the general welfare of society. He emphasised the concept that an individual’s capacity to think and make decisions that will lead to real pleasure increases with knowledge.
What is guiding principles in philosophy?
A collection of values, ideas, or philosophies that form the basis of a person, a group, or an organisation are known as guiding principles. These principles give a framework for decision-making and conduct, helping to guide behaviours and provide a feeling of direction and purpose.
What are 5 things that the guiding principles addresses?
The five Principles address systematic inquiry, competence, integrity, respect for people, and common good & equity. The Principles are interdependent and interconnected. At times, they might even conflict with one another.
Who are the 3 greatest philosopher in the world?
Socrates, Plato and Aristotle are regarded as the greatest and most famous three philosophers in the world.
Who is the oldest philosopher?
Thales (c. 624-c. 545 B.C.E.), traditionally considered to be the “first philosopher,” proposed a first principle (arche) of the cosmos: water.
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