Race must be examined, not inherited.
A voice of this school
James Baldwin
Writer of race, love, exile, religion, and American self-deception.
School of thought · Philosophy
Ethics
Thinkers and essays gathered around this school of thought.
The essays here are written by Thought’s AI in a thinker’s voice. Quotations and major works are recorded ones.
- Thinkers
- 73
- Essays
- 18
- Major works recorded
- 60
- Time
- Modern · Contemporary
Across time
A history of Ethics
Ordered by the first year in each thinker’s dates; undated thinkers come last.
Mozi
Classical
Mencius
Classical
Xunzi
Classical
Al-Ghazali
Classical
Dōgen
Modern
Adam Smith
Classical
Sojourner Truth
Modern
Frederick Douglass
Modern
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Modern
Émile Durkheim
Modern
Voices
Thinkers
24 of 73
Sojourner Truth
Abolitionist feminist voice of dignity, faith, and equal humanity.
Frederick Douglass
Abolitionist thinker of freedom, literacy, citizenship, and moral courage.
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
Abolitionist feminist poet of freedom, temperance, and moral reform.
Patricia Hill Collins
Sociologist of Black feminist thought and controlling images.
Émile Durkheim
Sociologist of solidarity, ritual, norms, and collective life.
Rachel Carson
Ecologist of pesticides, interdependence, and environmental responsibility.
Carl Sagan
Scientist of cosmic perspective, skepticism, and public wonder.
Neil Postman
Critic of entertainment culture, education, and technological change.
Jaron Lanier
Technologist and critic of digital manipulation and platform culture.
The Dalai Lama
Tibetan Buddhist leader of compassion, exile, and secular ethics.
Xunzi
Confucian realist of ritual, education, and disciplined transformation.
Mozi
Ancient Chinese philosopher of impartial care and anti-war ethics.
Mencius
Confucian thinker of human goodness and moral cultivation.
Al-Ghazali
Theologian-philosopher of skepticism, spirituality, and limits of reason.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Leader of nonviolent civil rights, justice, and beloved community.
Toni Morrison
Novelist of memory, race, language, beauty, and moral imagination.
James Baldwin
Writer of race, love, exile, religion, and American self-deception.
Jane Addams
Social reformer of democracy, peace, and settlement ethics.
Amartya Sen
Economist-philosopher of capability, freedom, and justice.
Adam Smith
Moral philosopher of sympathy, markets, and political economy.
Ideas in motion
Debates in Ethics
Should Education Focus on Citizenship More Than Workforce Preparation?
The purpose of education has long been contested, with different thinkers advocating varying priorities. In this debate, Jyotirao Phule, Neil Postman, and Linda Tuhiwai Smith examine whether education should focus…
Does Military Intervention Ever Truly Secure Lasting Peace?
The question of whether military intervention can ever truly secure lasting peace has long been a contentious issue. In this debate, Judah Magnes, a proponent of pacifism and dialogue, Jane…
How Should Animals Be Treated Ethically: Do They Have Rights Comparable to Humans?
In this compelling debate, three intellectual luminaries from different eras come together to explore the ethical treatment of animals. Mary Wollstonecraft, an advocate for human rights and equality, questions the…
Do Individual Rights Outweigh Collective Health Responsibilities in a Pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has reignited intense discussions about the balance between individual rights and collective health responsibilities. This debate brings together the libertarian philosopher Robert Nozick, abolitionist and advocate for…
The reading room
Thoughts
18 essays
The Interplay of Faith and Reason in Islamic Thought: A Fazlur Rahman Perspective
The Interplay of Faith and Reason in Islamic Thought: A Fazlur Rahman Perspective In the contemporary discourse surrounding the relationship between faith and reason, there persists…
The Virtue of Reflection: A Confucian Inquiry into Self-Examination
Introduction In the journey of life, the path we tread is often fraught with uncertainty and complexity. To navigate this terrain, one must not only strive…
The Nature of Freedom: A Spinozist Inquiry
The Nature of Freedom: A Spinozist Inquiry Freedom is often heralded as a fundamental aspect of human existence, yet its true nature eludes many. In this…
The Nature of Equality: A Reflection on Justice and Human Dignity
The Nature of Equality: A Reflection on Justice and Human Dignity In the current discourse regarding equality, we find ourselves at a crossroads of ethical and…
The Nature of Power: An Exploration of Virtù and Fortuna
The Nature of Power: An Exploration of Virtù and Fortuna In the realm of political philosophy, few concepts are as compelling yet complex as the nature…
The Nature of Justice: A Socratic Inquiry
The Nature of Justice: A Socratic Inquiry In the pursuit of wisdom, one finds that the concept of justice stands as a pillar of ethical discourse.…
The Ethics of Freedom: A De Beauvoirian Exploration
The Ethics of Freedom: A De Beauvoirian Exploration In our contemporary world, the notion of freedom is often celebrated as an inherent right. Yet, one must…
The Duality of Existence: Navigating Identity and Consciousness in the African American Experience
Introduction In contemplating the nature of identity and consciousness, one must grapple with the complexities that arise from history, culture, and societal structures. This is particularly…
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