this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2023
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Opinion: Who is the most underrated/under read Philosopher? (self.philosophy)
submitted 1 year ago by JDBowden to c/philosophy
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Opinion: Who is the most underrated/under read Philosopher?

I will start... I find Aesop and the Fables to be underrated and wrongly pointed at simply for children. These stories can and must be applied to adult life to live a better and more virtuous life. IMO.

(Yes, I am aware that some think Aesop was potentially not one person, but many, and some question he even existed... like Homer).

Would love to hear what you all think.

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[โ€“] Arxir 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks for the suggestion. I had never heard of him before. Which of his works would you recommend as a starter?

[โ€“] Copernican 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

He wrote more articles than books. I think you kind of have 2 routes to go:

  1. The Academic Primary Text Route and pick up either a reader like Menand's "Pragmatism: A Reader" or get "The Essential Peirce" which comes in 2 volumes to see the actual work.
  2. The Historical Route and pick up Louis Menand's "The Metaphysical Club" which is a historical accoutthat defines this emerging American thought based on a dinner club that featured Philosophers Charles Peirce and William James, and Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendall Holmes Junior.

I think 2 is probably good if you want more historical context, narrative, and summary of their ideas, but route 1 gives you the direct text which is less accessible for casual reading in my opinion. I will say that I do sometimes think James is correct in his criticism of Peirce's writing being "flashes of brilliant light relieved against Cimmerian darkness."