Cross College

Tag: philosophy

  • Soren Kierkegaard: The Father of Existentialism and His Profound Works

    Søren Kierkegaard, a 19th-century Danish philosopher, theologian, and writer, is often regarded as the “father of existentialism.” His works, filled with passionate reflections on faith, individuality, freedom, and the nature of existence, continue to influence a wide array of fields, including philosophy, theology, literature, and psychology. Through a style that combined parables, pseudonymous characters, and…

  • Nietzsche and the Presocratics: Rediscovering the Roots of Western Thought

    Friedrich Nietzsche, one of the most influential philosophers of the 19th century, had a profound respect and fascination for the Presocratic thinkers. These early Greek philosophers, such as Heraclitus, Parmenides, and Anaximander, were some of the first to approach the world with curiosity, reason, and metaphysical inquiry, and Nietzsche saw them as representing a pure,…

  • The Origins of Western Thought: An Introduction to Presocratic Greek Philosophy

    Long before Socrates questioned Athenians in the Agora, a group of early Greek thinkers, known as the Presocratics, laid the foundation for Western philosophy. These early philosophers emerged from various regions of the Greek world in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE and were united by their desire to understand the universe through reason and…

  • Exploring the Works of Plutarch: A Timeless Legacy in Morality, History, and Philosophy

    Plutarch, a Greek writer, philosopher, and biographer of the 1st century AD, is celebrated for his timeless contributions to literature and philosophy. His works, especially the Parallel Lives and Moralia, offer invaluable insight into the lives of ancient figures and tackle ethical, philosophical, and practical issues that resonate to this day. Through Plutarch’s unique approach…

  • Nicolaus Copernicus: Renaissance Polymath Beyond Astronomy

    Nicolaus Copernicus is universally known for his revolutionary work in astronomy, which forever changed humanity’s understanding of our place in the cosmos. However, the Polish Renaissance thinker’s contributions go far beyond his famous heliocentric theory. As a true Renaissance polymath, Copernicus was deeply engaged in fields including medicine, economics, and government. His extensive work in…

  • Friedrich Nietzsche’s Writings on Ancient Greek Philosophy and Culture

    Friedrich Nietzsche, one of the most influential philosophers of the 19th century, had a profound engagement with ancient Greek philosophy and culture. His writings, often provocative and iconoclastic, reveal a deep admiration for the ancient Greeks, particularly their tragic culture, pre-Socratic philosophy, and understanding of life’s existential challenges. Nietzsche’s reflections on the Greeks served as…

  • The Most Significant Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church: Icons of Faith and Holiness

    Eastern Orthodoxy, with its rich spiritual heritage and tradition, venerates a great number of saints who have played pivotal roles in shaping the faith, guiding its followers, and influencing the course of Christian history. Saints in the Orthodox Church are not only remembered for their piety and miracles, but also for the ways they exemplified…

  • Henri Bergson’s Writing on Comedy: Laughter, Society, and the Mechanization of Life

    Henri Bergson, the influential French philosopher, is well known for his exploration of time, consciousness, and creativity, but his work on comedy is also a notable contribution to both philosophy and literary theory. In his 1900 essay Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic, Bergson delves into the nature of comedy, seeking to…

  • Freud’s Writings on the Uncanny: Exploring the Eerie and Familiar

    Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, is renowned for his exploration of the human psyche and his groundbreaking work on subjects such as dreams, sexuality, and the unconscious mind. Among his numerous writings, one of his most thought-provoking and influential essays is “The Uncanny” (Das Unheimliche), published in 1919. In this essay, Freud delves into…

  • Who Was Giordano Bruno? The Life and Legacy of a Renaissance Visionary

    Giordano Bruno (1548–1600) was an Italian philosopher, mathematician, cosmologist, and friar whose groundbreaking ideas challenged the intellectual and religious norms of his time. Known for his radical theories about the universe, including his belief in the infinite nature of the cosmos and the plurality of worlds, Bruno’s life ended in tragedy when he was burned…