Name that Philosopher
He tutored Alexander the Great and founded his own school, the Lyceum.
Who is Aristotle
This ethical theory, championed by John Stuart Mill, seeks "the greatest good for the greatest number."
What is Utilitarianism?
This Chinese philosopher’s teachings on filial piety and social harmony are found in the Analects.
Who is Confucius?
This paradox asks if a ship remains the same object if all its wooden planks are replaced over time.
What is the Ship of Theseus?
This Plato dialogue features the Allegory of the Cave and outlines an ideal city-state ruled by philosopher-kings.
What is The Republic?
This German philosopher proposed the "Categorical Imperative" as a universal moral law.
Who is Immanuel Kant
This term describes an ethical system based on duty and rules rather than consequences.
What is Deontology?
He is the legendary founder of Taoism and supposed author of the Tao Te Ching.
Who is Lao Tzu?
This philosophical position argues that the only thing you can be sure exists is your own mind.
What is Solipsism?
This Roman Emperor’s private journal, never intended for publication, is a cornerstone of Stoic practice.
What is Meditations?
He argued that the mind is a Tabula Rasa, or "blank slate," at birth.
Who is John Locke?
Aristotle’s ethics focused on developing these "middle-ground" character traits between extremes.
What are Virtues (The Golden Mean)?
This term in Buddhism refers to the release from the cycle of rebirth and suffering.
What is Nirvana?
This Greek philosopher’s "Achilles and the Tortoise" paradox suggests that motion is impossible.
Who is Zeno of Elea?
In this text, Plato records Socrates’ defense speech during his trial for impiety and corrupting the youth.
What is the Apology?
This Danish thinker is often considered the "Father of Existentialism."
Who is Søren Kierkegaard?
The belief that life is meaningless and all religious and moral principles are baseless.
What is Nihilism?
The Buddhist concept of "Dharma" is often translated into this English word for the "teachings" or "law."
What is The Way (or Truth/Law)?
This "Godly" argument for existence, proposed by St. Anselm, claims that God must exist because he is the greatest conceivable being.
What is the Ontological Argument?
This St. Augustine work is considered the first Western autobiography, detailing his conversion to Christianity.
What is Confessions?
He was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock for "corrupting the youth" of Athens.
who is Socrates
This 20th-century philosopher promoted "Rational Egoism" and wrote Atlas Shrugged.
Who is Ayn Rand?
This school of Chinese philosophy, rival to Confucianism, believed people were naturally evil and required strict laws.
What is Legalism?
This Latin phrase, meaning "from the earlier," refers to knowledge gained through reason alone rather than experience.
What is A priori?
This Epicurean poem by Lucretius seeks to explain the world through atomism to free humans from the fear of gods.
What is On the Nature of Things (De rerum natura)?