50 Famous & Greatest Philosophers

Rembrandt’s Philosopher in Meditation, a classical view of philosophy isolated from the world.

The History of philosophy is as rich as it is complex. Here is an overview of the greatest philosophers and major schools of thought that have punctuated the long history of philosophy from Ancient Greece to the Modern World.

Below you will find a comprehensive list of great philosophers and links to their philosophy, their quotes, or their major philosophical works. They stand as major philosophers and to this day are still read by philosophy students because of their contributions to the field and history of philosophy.

Some schools of thought are still represented in contemporary philosophical thought while others have been left dormant for over 2000 years. We’ve sorted the philosophical schools of thought by period (Antiquity / Middle Ages / Modernity / Contemporary) for easier visibility on and clearer understanding of the currents in the history of philosophy.

Philosophers of Antiquity:

Philosophers of the Middle Ages:

Modern Philosophers:

Contemporary philosophers:

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