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Schools of Thought
Part of the free lessons on ColinBuilds. Each school is a short read. Start with one of these three.
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All schools
Ancient / Classical Antiquity
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Platonism
The real world is a shadow of perfect ideas, like a perfect circle.
Greece · c. 400 BCE
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Aristotelianism
Watch the world. Use reason. Ask what a thing is for.
Greece · c. 350 BCE
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Stoicism
Stay steady. You do not control what happens. You do control how you answer.
Greece & Rome · c. 300 BCE - 180 CE
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Epicureanism
A calm life. Simple pleasures. Less fear.
Greece · c. 300 BCE
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Cynicism
A simple life. Drop the chase for money and fame.
Greece · c. 400 BCE
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Skepticism
We may never be sure. Hold back from claiming certainty.
Greece · c. 300 BCE
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Eastern Traditions
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Confucianism
Live well with others. Care for family. Build character.
China · c. 500 BCE
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Daoism (Taoism)
Follow the natural way. Do not force things.
China · c. 400 BCE
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Buddhism
Understand suffering. Practise a path out of it.
India / East Asia · c. 500 BCE
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Legalism
A strong state needs strict laws and hard punishments.
China · c. 300 BCE
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Medieval & Religious Philosophy
Early Modern Philosophy
19th Century Philosophy
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Utilitarianism
The right act is the one that leads to the most happiness for the most people.
Britain · 19th Century
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Marxism
History as a fight between classes. Change the system, not only the story.
Germany / Britain · 19th Century
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Existentialism
You are free. You are responsible. Meaning is something you make.
Europe · 19th - 20th Century
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20th Century & Contemporary
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Analytic Philosophy
Be clear. Watch how words work. That is how many puzzles get solved.
UK, USA · Early 20th Century - Present
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Phenomenology
Study experience from the inside: what it is like to see, feel and notice.
Germany / France · Early 20th Century
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Post-Structuralism
Big systems and “one true meaning” do not hold still. Words shift.
France · Mid-20th Century
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Feminist Philosophy
Ask who has power. Ask how gender and justice were written.
Global · 18th Century - Present
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Critical Theory
Do not only describe society. Try to change it.
Germany / USA · 20th Century
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Cross-cutting Themes
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Humanism
People matter. Use reason and care to solve problems.
Global · Renaissance - Present
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Nihilism
No given meaning. No given moral law from outside us.
Europe · 19th Century - Present
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Absurdism
We want meaning. The world does not hand it over. Live anyway.
France · 20th Century
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