The Michael Knowles Show
Michael Knowles RANKS The Greatest Philosophers
Apr 5, 2025
Dive into a humorous ranking of history's greatest philosophers, from Plato to Nietzsche! Explore the towering ideas of Aristotle and why he earns an 'S tier' status, while Voltaire lands in the 'D tier' for his errors. Critiques of Ayn Rand reveal a clash between her radical individualism and conservative thought. The analysis also touches on the contributions of other giants like Zeno and Descartes, sparking a debate on happiness, virtue, and the essence of human existence. Who deserves to be remembered, and who should be forgotten?
18:42
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Quick takeaways
- Michael Knowles utilizes a tiered ranking system to classify philosophers based on their intellectual contributions and lasting impact on civilization.
- The podcast critiques various philosophers, highlighting both celebrated figures like Socrates and Aristotle in the S tier, and controversial thinkers like Nietzsche and Ayn Rand in lower tiers.
Deep dives
Philosophers Ranked by Impact
A tiered ranking system categorizes philosophers into five levels: S, A, B, C, and F. The S tier is reserved for those who exhibit exceptional intellectual prowess, while the A tier is for philosophers deserving of academic study. B tier represents quality reading material, interesting enough for casual engagement, whereas C tier is likened to ideas popular among online communities without substantial depth. Lastly, F tier comprises the least respected thinkers, often seen as lacking serious philosophical merit, with the rankings decided based on their contributions and ideas.
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