More Philosophers in 50 Words

I can post from school!

Machiavelli
16th Century, Italian. He wrote ‘The Prince’. It is acceptable for leaders to use cunning and deceitful tactics in politics, giving rise to the phrase ‘Machiavellianism’. Most believe he promotes evil, others argue it is realistic. Some believe ‘The Prince’ was a satire, as it contrasts with his other work.

Hume
Scottish, 18th Century. Reason is and ought to be the slave of the passions. Only observed knowledge is reliable, the self is an illusion that we can’t know. Can’t ever use inductive reasoning as one example may prove it wrong (eg. 1000 swans are white therefore all swans are white).

Rousseau
18th Century, Swiss. Education should teach children to reason. Freedom and reason very important. The will of the general population is stronger than individuals. Obey the ruler, it is a social contract. Through this, one is forced to be free. Purportedly Catholic. Progress corrupts society, making people jealous and competitive.

Bentham
English, 19th Century. Considered as the father of utilitarianism. Wanted to create a complete ethical code. Proposed calculating the moral action by adding happiness using ‘felicific calculus’. We can work out if punishments are good for society. They can be good in the long run, if it reforms your character.

Kierkegaard
Danish, 19th Century. Christian Existentialist. Freedom is important, fought against the Danish National Church in his later years as it doesn’t embody true Christianity. You can’t prove God, you just have to believe. Accept the responsibility of choice. Create your own meaning to life, it doesn’t matter what it is.