Hannah Arendt (1906-1975): A German-born American political theorist whose works deal with the nature of power, authority, and the origins of totalitarianism. Her explorations of these topics, as well as her studies of the nature of evil, have solidified her position as one of the most influential political thinkers of the 20th century. 1. “The … Read more

Edward Said (1935-2003): A Palestinian American literary theorist and public intellectual who helped found the critical-theory field of postcolonialism. Said is best known for his analysis of the cultural representations that are the bases of Orientalism, a term he redefined to mean the Western study and depiction of Eastern societies, which he discusses extensively in … Read more

Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860): A German philosopher best known for his work “The World as Will and Representation”. Schopenhauer’s philosophy is known for its pessimistic views and was heavily influenced by the works of Immanuel Kant. He emphasized the role of man’s basic motivation based on their desires, fears, and passions. His thought profoundly influenced psychology, … Read more

Walter Benjamin (1892-1940): A German Jewish philosopher, cultural critic, and essayist. Benjamin’s diverse body of work includes commentaries on literary and philosophical texts, fragments on the philosophy of history and linguistics, reflections on aesthetics, arts, and literature. His writings integrate elements of Marxism, German idealism, and Jewish mysticism. 1. “Illuminations” (1955): This is a collection … Read more

Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986): A French writer, philosopher, feminist, and social theorist, de Beauvoir is known for her significant contributions to feminist existentialism and feminist theory. She authored many novels, essays, biographies, and an autobiography, offering insights into her philosophy on freedom, oppression, and the construction of gender. 1. The Second Sex (1949): Considered a … Read more

Richard Dawkins (1941- ): A pre-eminent evolutionary biologist and prominent atheist, Richard Dawkins is best known for his advocacy of the gene-centric view of evolution and his critiques of religion. His works, both controversial and influential, have sparked dialogues about biology, religion, and ethics. 1. The Selfish Gene (1976): Dawkins presents the theory of the … Read more

Frantz Fanon (1925-1961): Fanon was a psychiatrist, philosopher, and political radical who became one of the leading theorists of decolonization and the psychological effects of colonization. Born in Martinique, a French colony at the time, he eventually moved to Algeria, where he became involved in its struggle for independence. 1. Black Skin, White Masks (1952): … Read more

Michel Foucault (1926 – 1984): Foucault was a French philosopher, social theorist, and historian of ideas. His theories addressed the relationship between power and knowledge, and how they are used as a form of social control through societal institutions. His work is often associated with postmodern and post-structuralist thought. 1. Madness and Civilization (1961): In … Read more

Marshall McLuhan (1911 – 1980): McLuhan was a Canadian professor, philosopher, and public intellectual whose work is one of the cornerstones of the study of media theory. He coined the expression “the medium is the message” and proposed that media themselves, not the content they carry, should be the focus of study. His insights were … Read more

Albert Camus (1913 – 1960): A towering figure in the pantheon of philosophical literature, Camus is perhaps best known for his unique perspective on the philosophy of the absurd. His work explores themes such as existentialism, moral relativism, and the quest for meaning in an indifferent universe. Despite this, he declined to align himself with … Read more