Medieval & Modern Philosophy

This article delves into the life and contributions of René Descartes, a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist known for his statement, "I think, therefore I am." It examines his major works and his influence on modern philosophy and science.

The article 'Hobbes and the State as Leviathan' explores philosopher Thomas Hobbes's view of the state as a powerful and centralized entity, compared to the biblical figure of Leviathan. The importance of government in ensuring peace and security in a society is explored.

Blaise Pascal, a French mathematician, physicist, and religious philosopher, made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics and science during the 17th century. Known for Pascal's Triangle in mathematics and Pascal's Law in physics, his work laid the foundation for modern probability theory and fluid mechanics.

Baruch Spinoza was a Dutch philosopher of Sephardic/Portuguese origin, widely considered one of the great rationalists of the 17th century. His work laid the foundation for the 18th-century Enlightenment and modern biblical criticism, including modern conceptions of the self and the universe.

John Locke was an influential English philosopher and physician known as the "father of liberalism." His works, including "Two Treatises of Government," had a profound impact on modern political theory.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz was a German mathematician active in the fields of mathematics, philosophy, and science during the 17th century. He is best known for developing calculus independently of Isaac Newton and for his contributions to metaphysics and logic.

The article explores the life and works of Giambattista Vico, an Italian philosopher and historian, known for his theory of historical cycles and his influence on the philosophy of history. His major works, including the seminal text 'Scienza Nuova', are analyzed and his impact on modern thought is examined.

David Hume, one of the leading thinkers of the 18th century, was a Scottish philosopher and historian. This article explores his theories on philosophical empiricism, the problem of personal identity, and his skepticism, highlighting his influence on contemporary philosophy.

The article 'Enlightenment, definition, history, literature' explores the intellectual movement of the Enlightenment, providing a clear definition, an analysis of its history and the impact on the literature of the period.

This article delves into the life and contributions of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a prominent 18th-century philosopher whose thoughts on human nature, politics, and education left a profound impact on modern thought.

Voltaire, whose real name was François-Marie Arouet, was a French writer, historian, and philosopher of the Enlightenment famous for his wit, criticism of Christianity, and defense of freedom of speech, religion, and the separation of church and state.

Immanuel Kant was an influential philosopher of the Enlightenment, best known for his work on epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics, particularly through his critical philosophy arguing for the role of reason in human experience.