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School of Thought 101: Great Liberal Thinkers

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Liberalism is a political philosophy that emphasizes the importance of individual liberty, equality, and democracy. Liberal thinkers have played a major role in shaping the development of modern political thought and institutions.

School of Thought: 101 Great Liberal Thinkers

by Edward A. Hagan

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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This article provides a comprehensive guide to the lives, ideas, and contributions of 101 great liberal thinkers throughout history. The thinkers are arranged in chronological order, from the ancient Greeks to the present day.

Ancient Greece

Socrates (470-399 BC)
- Greek philosopher who is considered one of the founders of Western philosophy.
- Developed the Socratic method, a form of questioning that is designed to help people discover the truth.
- Was executed by the Athenian government for corrupting the youth.
Plato (427-347 BC)
- Greek philosopher who was a student of Socrates.
- Founded the Academy, one of the first institutions of higher learning in the Western world.
- Wrote the Republic, a dialogue that explores the nature of justice and the ideal state.
Aristotle (384-322 BC)
- Greek philosopher who was a student of Plato.
- Was a tutor to Alexander the Great.
- Wrote extensively on a wide range of subjects, including politics, ethics, and science.

Medieval Europe

Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
- Italian theologian and philosopher who was one of the most influential thinkers in the Middle Ages.
- Developed a synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy and Christian theology.
- Was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
William of Ockham (1285-1347)
- English philosopher and theologian who is considered one of the founders of modern science.
- Developed the principle of parsimony, which states that the simplest explanation is usually the best.
- Was condemned as a heretic by the Catholic Church.
Marsilius of Padua (1270-1342)
- Italian political philosopher who is considered one of the founders of modern political theory.
- Argued that the state is a product of human will and that it should be based on the consent of the governed.
- Was condemned as a heretic by the Catholic Church.

Renaissance and Reformation

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527)
- Italian political philosopher who is considered one of the founders of modern political realism.
- Argued that the end justifies the means and that rulers should be willing to use violence and deception to maintain power.
- Wrote The Prince, a treatise on how to acquire and maintain political power.
Thomas More (1478-1535)
- English philosopher, humanist, and statesman who is considered one of the founders of modern socialism.
- Wrote Utopia, a novel that describes a perfect society based on the principles of reason and justice.
- Was executed by King Henry VIII for refusing to accept the Act of Supremacy.
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
- German theologian and religious reformer who is considered one of the founders of Protestantism.
- Believed that salvation is achieved through faith alone and that the Bible is the sole source of religious authority.
- His ideas led to the Protestant Reformation, which split the Catholic Church in two.