What Classfies Someone As A Philosopher?
You were asked who you consider to be the greatest philosopher of all time. Blue_Hefner answered “Jesus”. For the sake of argument, let 's assume that Jesus was man not myth. Is it accurate to call Jesus a philosopher?
What is a philosopher? What conditions need to be fulfilled, if any, in order to be considered a philosopher?
What Classifies Someone As A Philosopher?
I'm not sure what the question is asking.
If you mean professionally, a philosopher is someone (usually) versed in the history and methodologies of Philosophy and who gets paid for talking/writing about his view on the Big Picture. He or she (yes, she, dammit) is generally recognized by others (especially the intelligentsia) as smart and insightful.
On the other hand...a "philosopher" may also be someone who talks a good game (I'm Not necessarily being sarcastic here) but has no marketable skills. 😮💨
PS. Personally, I would Not classify Jesus as a philosopher.
Here is my opinion, it is a debated position, and is based in my belief of the answer to the question, "What is a philosopher?" A question that I believe requires a philosophical approach to properly answer. This question must be answered prior to defining Christ as a philosopher or not.
Lao Tsu was considered a philosopher, yet his teachings are the basis of a religious movement. A philosopher is someone who offers a unique perspective on life and/or thinking/rationale. An individual with a master's or doctorate in philosophy may have an extensive knowledge of philosophy, but they are not necssarily philosophers themselves. A true philosopher is a rare commodity, and religious individuals are members of this group, imo.
Christ is a philosopher in that he presented philosophical questions and answers to these questions. He stated that, the premeditation of an act was of the same substance as the act. He presented commentary on the question of judgement, stating that one with error is incapable of making a judgement without the possibility of error in said judgement, and thus should not judge. Many of Christ's statements can be taken as philosophical commentary on Jewish beliefs, thus he most definitely can be considered a philosopher of religion at the very least.
Originally posted by Regret
Christ is a philosopher in that he presented philosophical questions and answers to these questions. He stated that, the premeditation of an act was of the same substance as the act. He presented commentary on the question of judgement, stating that one with error is incapable of making a judgement without the possibility of error in said judgement, and thus should not judge. Many of Christ's statements can be taken as philosophical commentary on Jewish beliefs, thus he most definitely can be considered a philosopher of religion at the very least.
This makes him a theologian.
A philosopher is someone who thinks outside the box,
And wonders why things are outside the box,
And not in the box with us where they belong,
And why there is an outside the box to begin with,
And if it's better outside the box then in,
And why the box isn't bigger,
And... *gets smacked in the head*
Ouch, oh right then,
A Philospher is someone who thinks allot about weird things.
Originally posted by Adam_PoEA theologian studies religion, not necessarily the philosophies behind religion. He by no manner defines a religion.
This makes him a theologian.
If religion is held as fact by the individual, it should not be held against him if it is an integral piece of his philosophy. Existential proposition is all that religion is, if one shapes a philosophy using such a proposition as a portion of consideration one is still engaging in the very acts that define a philosopher. It is merely semantics separating Christ, Buddha, Lao Tsu, etc. from Socrates, Plato and the rest, the exact same argument used by mainstream Christianity to separate Mormons from what they term "Christians." Religion is only philosophy with a deity assumption attached, although the position one has on deity impacts whether one believes religion is God's philosophy or man's.
To me personally a philosopher is someone who thinks (can be about anything) specifically about 'why' questions. Why do we do this, Why do we do that.
I know tons of people won't agree with this definition but that's there problem. I don't believe that one needs to have a philosophy degree to be a philosopher. I know a few people who have a philosophy degree who I don't consider philosophers. Yes knowledge of philosophy is useful for anyone wanting to be a philosopher but not essential in my book.
My favorite field of philosophy is political philosophy because science can't say anything about it.
Originally posted by Regret
A theologian studies religion, not necessarily the philosophies behind religion. He by no manner defines a religion.If religion is held as fact by the individual, it should not be held against him if it is an integral piece of his philosophy. Existential proposition is all that religion is, if one shapes a philosophy using such a proposition as a portion of consideration one is still engaging in the very acts that define a philosopher. It is merely semantics separating Christ, Buddha, Lao Tsu, etc. from Socrates, Plato and the rest, the exact same argument used by mainstream Christianity to separate Mormons from what they term "Christians." Religion is only philosophy with a deity assumption attached, although the position one has on deity impacts whether one believes religion is God's philosophy or man's.
"Philosophy is an analytical perspective on life which may or may not involve reverence.
Religion is a perspective of reverence which may or may not involve critical analysis."
As you can see, there is overlap, but the reason I don't consider Jesus a philosopher is this:
Jesus, being a devoutly religious individual, did not even consider--Would not even consider--questioning God's existence. The Reality of God is taken as an absolute given from which everything else derives, including any critical analysis of His intent, His laws, and so on.
A "true" philosopher, on the other hand, would (at least, potentially) Question Everything via critical analysis, including whether a Deity exists or not. He or she may later arrive at the conclusion that a God exists, but the reverence / religious perspective was not there at Square One, where in Jesus' case it was.
Again, there is overlap, but I think what separates philosophy and religion is the starting point.
Re: What Classfies Someone As A Philosopher?
Originally posted by Storm
You were asked who you consider to be the greatest philosopher of all time. Blue_Hefner answered “Jesus”. For the sake of argument, let 's assume that Jesus was man not myth. Is it accurate to call Jesus a philosopher?What is a philosopher? What conditions need to be fulfilled, if any, in order to be considered a philosopher?
Yeah, I said Jesus, but it was meant as a joke. I didn't think people would make such a big deal out of it.
Originally posted by Regret
A theologian studies religion, not necessarily the philosophies behind religion. He by no manner defines a religion.If religion is held as fact by the individual, it should not be held against him if it is an integral piece of his philosophy. Existential proposition is all that religion is, if one shapes a philosophy using such a proposition as a portion of consideration one is still engaging in the very acts that define a philosopher. It is merely semantics separating Christ, Buddha, Lao Tsu, etc. from Socrates, Plato and the rest, the exact same argument used by mainstream Christianity to separate Mormons from what they term "Christians." Religion is only philosophy with a deity assumption attached, although the position one has on deity impacts whether one believes religion is God's philosophy or man's.
I agree and disagree. Theology is philosophy but with a religious outlook. A theologian would be a philosopher who philosophizes (if that's a word) on life through religion.
Originally posted by StormWell, first they must think independantly. Second they must make sense. And finally, be heard.
You were asked who you consider to be the greatest philosopher of all time. Blue_Hefner answered “Jesus”. For the sake of argument, let 's assume that Jesus was man not myth. Is it accurate to call Jesus a philosopher?What is a philosopher? What conditions need to be fulfilled, if any, in order to be considered a philosopher?