Home · Philosophia · Schools
Schools of Thought
Explore the major philosophical movements in short, conversational lessons.
Ancient / Classical Antiquity
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Platonism
Belief in a higher realm of perfect 'Forms', of which the physical world is merely a shadow.
Greece · c. 400 BCE
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Aristotelianism
Focuses on logic, empirical observation, and understanding the 'telos' or purpose of things.
Greece · c. 350 BCE
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Stoicism
An ancient guide to resilience, focusing on virtue, self-control, and the dichotomy of control.
Greece & Rome · c. 300 BCE - 180 CE
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Epicureanism
Advocates for seeking modest, sustainable pleasure in the form of tranquility and freedom from fear.
Greece · c. 300 BCE
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Cynicism
A rejection of conventional desires for wealth or fame, advocating a simple life in accordance with nature.
Greece · c. 400 BCE
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Skepticism
Questions the possibility of certainty in knowledge, advocating for suspension of judgment.
Greece · c. 300 BCE
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Eastern Traditions
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Confucianism
An ethical and philosophical system emphasizing social harmony, filial piety, and moral character.
China · c. 500 BCE
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Daoism (Taoism)
Focuses on living in harmony with the Tao, the natural, ordering principle of the universe.
China · c. 400 BCE
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Buddhism
A path of spiritual development to achieve enlightenment by understanding the nature of suffering.
India / East Asia · c. 500 BCE
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Legalism
A political philosophy arguing that a strong state is achieved through strict laws and harsh punishments.
China · c. 300 BCE
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Medieval & Religious Philosophy
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Scholasticism
The dominant medieval method of learning, which aimed to reconcile Christian theology with classical philosophy.
Europe · c. 1100 - 1700 CE
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Islamic Golden Age
A period of intense philosophical and scientific advancement, preserving and building upon Greek thought.
Middle East / N. Africa · c. 800 - 1200 CE
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Early Modern Philosophy
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Rationalism
Asserts that reason is the chief source and test of knowledge, rather than sensory experience.
Europe · 17th Century
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Empiricism
Contends that knowledge comes only or primarily from sensory experience and evidence.
Britain · 17th-18th Century
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Idealism
Maintains that reality as we can know it is fundamentally mental or otherwise immaterial.
Germany · 18th-19th Century
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19th Century Philosophy
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Utilitarianism
An ethical theory that states the best action is the one that maximizes utility, or the greatest happiness for the greatest number.
Britain · 19th Century
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Marxism
A political and economic theory that analyzes history through the lens of class struggle.
Germany / Britain · 19th Century
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Existentialism
Emphasizes individual freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world.
Europe · 19th - 20th Century
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20th Century & Contemporary
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Analytic Philosophy
Emphasizes clarity and logical rigor, often through the analysis of language to solve philosophical problems.
UK, USA · Early 20th Century - Present
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Phenomenology
The study of structures of consciousness as experienced from the first-person point of view.
Germany / France · Early 20th Century
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Post-Structuralism
Critiques the idea of objective structures and universal truths, emphasizing the instability of meaning.
France · Mid-20th Century
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Feminist Philosophy
Examines concepts of gender, power, and justice through a critical lens, often challenging traditional philosophy.
Global · 18th Century - Present
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Critical Theory
A social philosophy that critiques and seeks to change society, not just understand it.
Germany / USA · 20th Century
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Cross-cutting Themes
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Humanism
Emphasizes the value of human beings and relies on reason and ethics to solve problems.
Global · Renaissance - Present
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Nihilism
The rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief that life is meaningless.
Europe · 19th Century - Present
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Absurdism
The belief that a search for meaning is inherently in conflict with the actual lack of meaning, but that one should embrace this conflict.
France · 20th Century
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