Saturday, June 11, 2005
The Philosopher hunt
Some of you may have already come across this gem of eurocentric ignorance -- the BBC's poll for the greatest philosopher ever. Dead, white/European, and male seem to be the only qualifications that matter in order to make this list. Yes, they've chosen 20 philosophers and not one of them is from east of the Mediterranean. Let me do them a favour and introduce them to a few unknown philosophers from the east (for example) they may want to consider the next time around: Buddha, Confucius, Lao Tse, Adi Shankara, Nagarjuna.
Feel free to add to this list in comments. Better still, go to the BBC's website and let them know what you think about the list. This is not to suggest that there is anything wrong with the 20 dead, white, men they have chosen, but to pretend that philosophy=western philosophy is beyond the pale.
Feel free to add to this list in comments. Better still, go to the BBC's website and let them know what you think about the list. This is not to suggest that there is anything wrong with the 20 dead, white, men they have chosen, but to pretend that philosophy=western philosophy is beyond the pale.
