5 Top British Philosophers

John Locke (1632-1704) - A British philosopher and also a physician who is known as the father of Liberalism. He was the first philosopher to define, narrate the self through a continuity of consciousness. His works contributed significantly for the knowledge branches such as political philosophy, epistemology, and education. His works to the field of philosophy significantly influenced other philosophers such as Voltaire and Rousseau. As a political theorist, his contribution to classical republicanism and liberal theory later took a place in the United States Declaration of Independence. John Locke’s ‘Two Treatises of Government’ is a notable work on political theory. Locke’s book ‘Some Thoughts Concerning Education’ provided a direction on how to improve the education system in England. Later, this work turned into an important philosophical work on education and was translated all major European languages within a time span of 100 years.

Bertrand Russell (1872- 1970) - He is an English philosopher, mathematician, historian, writer, political activist, and a Nobel laureate. In the initial period of the 20^th century, Russell led the English revolt against idealism. He is also regarded as one of the founders of analytic philosophy. ‘Russell’s Paradox’ is Russell’s first major work. However, he is well known for his work, ‘A History of Western Philosophy’ published in 1945. The work analyses the Western philosophy from the pre-Socratic period to early period of the 20^th century. The work is a milestone in the history of philosophy and it remains in print since its first publication. In 1950, Russell honoured with the Nobel Prize in literature in recognition of his significant works in which he champions humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought.

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) - He is regarded as one of the founders of modern political philosophy. He is famous for his 1651 book ‘Leviathan’, which elaborated an important formulation of social contract theory. Hobbes is one among the founders of materialism in philosophy. His perspective on human nature as self-interested cooperation also proved to be an enduring theory in philosophical anthropology. The book ‘Leviathan’ also provides a foundation for number Western political philosophies taking into account the perspective of social contact theory. Hobbes is a noted author for his excellence of absolutism for the sovereign. Hobbes was also established some fundamentals of European liberal thought. The philosopher is also noted for his works on a group of areas such as,history, physics, theology, political science, ethics, and others.

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) - He is a noted British philosopher for his works on the concept of liberty. Besides his works on philosophy, he is noted as an economist and a political theorist. Mill was one of the first thinkers to justify the freedom of the individual against state control. He is one among the first who advocated suffrage. Mill was one of the advocater of utilitarianism, an ethical theory established by his predecessor Jeremy Bentham. ‘On Liberty’, a major work of Mill was published in 1859. The work is an attempt to apply his ethical system of utilitarianism to society and tries to define the relationship between the authority and liberty. He had cleared the fact that his concept has some exceptions where despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians.

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) - One of the greatest philosopher of the 19^th century. Besides his works on philosophy, he is also known for his works on sociology, biology, anthropology, and political theory. In 1902, Spencer was nominated for the Nobel Prize for literature. He was an opponent of imperialism and his works influenced many number of notable personalities, including Charles Darwin, Henry Sidgwick, Henri Bergson, and others. Spencer’s major work ‘The Man Versus the State’, was published in 1884. The work has divided into four major chapters ‘The New Toryism’, ‘The Coming Slavery’, ‘The Sins of Legislators’ and ‘The Great Political Superstition’.