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Philosophy for the insatiably curious

Plato: Organist to the Beasts

Plato: Organist to the Beasts

A story from a 13th century Persian text about music, harmony, philosophy, catatonic animals, and the beef between Plato and Aristotle.

Gārgī Vācaknavī, the Eloquent Philosopher

Gārgī Vācaknavī, the Eloquent Philosopher

Gārgī Vācaknavī was a philosopher who is said to have lived in India around 700 BCE, and whose skill in debate was legendary.

On the Virtues of Cats

On the Virtues of Cats

John Gray's Feline Philosophy, Daoism and a medieval Chinese debate on the virtues of cats.

Guan Zhong the Reformer

Guan Zhong the Reformer

Guan Zhong was one of China's earliest named philosophers. A sharp political operator, he rose from poverty to become Chancellor of the state of Qi. He is associated in particular with the philosophy of legalism.

The Secret Teachings of Pythagoras

The Secret Teachings of Pythagoras

Pythagoras was the first philosopher to talk about 'philosophia', or 'the love of wisdom.' He set up a philosophical community where he taught the transmigration of souls, and the centrality of mathematics for an understanding of the universe.

Fire and Flow: the Philosophy of Heraclitus

Fire and Flow: the Philosophy of Heraclitus

Heraclitus's philosophy was based on the idea that the world is in continual flux. He is famous above all for his mysterious comment that 'everything flows.'