Famous Scientists
Famous Scientists: Ernst Mach
Read about the life and work of this Austrian physicist and philosopher, known for his contributions to physics with the Mach number and the study of shock waves.
Other
Understanding Society: Sociology as a Social Science Discipline
The unique nature of contemporary sociology as being innately interdisciplinary is discussed, and why this diversity is a good thing. Written by philosopher Daniel Little.
Stanford University
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Empedocles
Article about the Greek philosopher Empedocles from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Includes a brief overview of his work and more detailed discussion of his two major works: "On Nature" and "Purifications."
Stanford University
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius
An in-depth study of the Christian philosopher from the 6th century C.E. There is a comprehensive biographical sketch plus nice analysis of his major works and ideas.
New Advent
Catholic Encyclopedia: Teaching of Moses Maimonides
This site from The New Advent provides biographical background of Moses ben Maimon. Lists works he wrote and discusses his influence on philosophers. This article was written from a Catholic point of view. Please note that "The Catholic...
Stanford University
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Category Theory
Explains major concepts in "category theory," a common alternative to traditional set theory. Some familiarity with the logical notation is assumed. Article does include sections on the history and general philosophical significance of...
Stanford University
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Dialetheism
Describes the notion of "dialetheism," the logical theory of true contradictions. Explains its history of development, its philosophical consequences, and its significance for rationality. Excellent bibliography.
Stanford University
Stanford Encycl. Of Philosophy: Alfred North Whitehead
A biography of Alfred North Whitehead. It lists major events of his life in a chronology, summarizes his philosophical influence, and provides a bibliography both of his own writings and of secondary sources about him.
Stanford University
Stanford Encycl. Of Philosophy: Epistemology of Religion
Excellent article examining several contemporary epistemological proposals for understanding "faith" philosophically. First discusses "evidentialism", then subjects it to critiques from several differing perpectives. Clearly written but...
Stanford University
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Miracles
Excellent essay from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on the philosophical response to "miraculous" events. Discusses the issues at stake in theories of causation, as well as Hume's famous refutation of miracles. Includes lengthy...
Internet Infidels
Pascal's Wager Refuted
Summarizes the major arguments involved in Pascals' Wager. It also presents seven objections to Pascal's Wager, both on philosophical and theological grounds.
Internet Infidels
Secular Web: H. J. Blackham: What Is Agnosticism?
A paper written in 1981 by British humanist Blackham reviews the major philosophical foundations of agnosticism.
Other
Rabindranath Tagore
A comprehensive biography of Rabindranath Tagore, the Poet, Philosopher, Musician, Writer, Educator, and Nobel Laureate. This site contains links to selected poems, conversations, and quotations.
Other
Verywell: What Is Nature Versus Nurture?
An article featuring the ongoing philosophical debate over psychology's nature versus nurture. Cherry clarifies the differences between the two schools of thought and provides the changes in theory over the years.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Mary Wollstonecraft, 1759 1797
From a college lecture on "The Language of Politics: England and the French Revolution," this biographical sketch connects Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797 CE) to the major political and philosophical thinkers of her time.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Niccolo Machiavelli, 1469 1527
This site has biographical information for Machiavelli (1469-1527 CE), the political philosopher during the Italian Renaissance.
Lumen Learning
Lumen: Romanticism: "Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Self-Reliance" is an essay written by American transcendentalist philosopher and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. It contains the most thorough statement of one of Emerson's recurrent themes, the need for each individual to avoid...
University of Chicago
University of Chicago Press: Nietzsche's Travels
Sample of photos and quotes from Nietzsche's travel diaries in his later years. Illuminates the personality of the great philosopher.
Other
Le Magazine Litteraire
A fully searchable site for AP/French literature majors, le Magazine Litteraire offers detailed critiques of recently published literature; articles by famous thinkers and academics about writers, philosophers or literary themes; a forum...
Other
U of Cambridge: Tycho Brahe and the Separation of Astronomy From Astrology
The subject of the paper is the shift from an astrology-oriented astronomy towards an allegedly more objective, mathematically grounded approach to astronomy. This shift is illustrated through a close reading of Tycho Brahe's scientific...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: What Is Consciousness?
Michael Graziano explores the question about consciousness that has vexed scientists and philosophers for centuries.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Mathematics Archive: John Wallis
This page provides an excellent biography of John Wallis, an English clergyman, mathematician, and philosopher. Discusses his childhood, education, travel, studies, and his contributions to the fields of philosophy, language, and...
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Blaise Pascal
This site from the University of Saint Andrews provides a short biography of Pascal. Takes a philosophical angle. Features links to existentialist philosophy, seventeenth and eighteenth century literature, and philosophy pages.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Zen Koans: Unsolvable Enigmas Designed to Break Your Brain
Puqun Li details the bewildering and ambiguous philosophical thought experiments these Buddhists called Zen koans.