The Greatest Philosopher of All Time? W/ Peter Kreeft

Dr. Kreeft and I discuss who we think are the best of the best when it comes to philosophers. Kreeft tells about his students' response to Pascal and Augustine, we share opinions Sartre and Nietzsche, and also dive a little bit into Pascal's insights on distraction.
📌 Check out the Full Episode: • Peter Kreeft | The Mat...
📌 To support me on Patreon (Thank you! 😭): / mattfradd
📌 To follow me on Twitter: / mattfradd
📌 To follow me on Instagram: / mattfradd
📌 To follow me on Facebook: / mattfradd

[@izaakpiknjacphillips7212]

"If you take Sartre serious as an adult, then you have serious mental problems." That is absolutely hilarious and spot on.

[@Autobotmatt428]

It was even true for Sartre "Pierre Victor (A.k.a. Benny Levy), who spent much of his time with the dying Sartre and interviewed him on several of his views. According to Victor, Sartre had a drastic change of mind about the existence of god and started gravitating toward Messianic Judaism. This is Sartre’s before-death profession, according to Pierre Victor: “I do not feel that I am the product of chance, a speck of dust in the universe, but someone who was expected, prepared, prefigured. In short, a being whom only a Creator could put here; and this idea of a creating hand refers to god." Even he at the end he couldn't live that way.

[@commercialrealestatephilos605]

So many do take his philosophy seriously without knowing who he is and that “their” beliefs are really his beliefs, or at Kreeft says, lies.

[@josephbenson6301]

Seems to me nothing could be more freeing than getting to decide your own purpose. Your own meaning. Nietzsche is right... you should take on the responsibility.

[@Autobotmatt428]

@@commercialrealestatephilos605 Joss Whedon the director of Buffy and The Avengers does and look what happened

[@kitkatchunky93]

I tried an hour alone in a dark room with no distractions while I was a student. I thought I did well until I suddenly woke up! :-/

[@mariab.774]

kitkatchunky93 Hahahaha, that was good 👍🏻

[@Autobotmatt428]

Had a similar experience why'll I was watching a silent film in class

[@dannyallen2894]

“I’m a 90% failure, I’ve gotta patch myself up, and God’s gotta help” I love that

[@stoicepictetus3875]

Same here. Let's both of us get to work, God bless you !

[@spencerlestrange8135]

In Cardinal Sarah’s book, The Power of Silence, one of the points he makes has to do with our outlook on silence: “Infallibly, silence leads to God, provided man stops looking at himself. For even in the experience of silence, there is a snare: narcissism and egotism.” Would then, the hour of silence not be so much about looking inside as it is about looking outside towards God, and how we can greater devote our lives to Him?

[@erichvazquez3758]

Remember that God is closer to us than we are to ourselves and when we finally go to the basic level of ourselves, which is our existence, we realize that our only foundation is that of which is Existence itself and that is God.

[@AntonAchondoa]

I like this thought. Contemplating the vastness of the universe with its beauty, terror, power, fragility, et al certainly raises your mind toward the infinite. But it does not prove a specific, institutionally established conception of God. It just raises the mind to a state of wonder and awe.

[@williamcrawford7621]

The three A's are the best: Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas. Honorable mentions to Socrates, Plato, and Chesterton.

[@sergiodavila3290]

William C it’s hilarious to me that Chesterton earns his way among these masters lol! Gotta love GKC.

[@adryan224]

On a more theological level, St. Paul and St. John

[@cliffhanley2120]

@@adryan224 Is believing something just as easy as getting up and opening a door as Peter suggested? Could Peter choose to believe that pigs can fly just as easily as he could get up and open a door to someone?

[@williamcrawford7621]

@Miguel Cisneros Based on this comment, I presume you are some sort of Christian, although certainly not a very orthodox one. I hope you at least agree that humility is a virtue and that it is one you seem to lack based on your flippant dismissal of the greatest of philosophers. I fear to ask who you consider to be a good philosopher. Probably Calvin or something equally horrifying.

[@intelligentdude4722]

Miguel Cisneros I’m gonna assume you’re joking or that you’re just the dumbest person on this face of this earth.

[@clarissa7428]

This is an AWESOME interview. Very natural, but also super educational-- a very hard balance!

[@Autobotmatt428]

Hey to anyone who see this please up vote this. I just found out that Peter Kreeft was right about Sartre this is from an article I found . "Pierre Victor (A.k.a. Benny Levy), who spent much of his time with the dying Sartre and interviewed him on several of his views. According to Victor, Sartre had a drastic change of mind about the existence of god and started gravitating toward Messianic Judaism. This is Sartre’s before-death profession, according to Pierre Victor: “I do not feel that I am the product of chance, a speck of dust in the universe, but someone who was expected, prepared, prefigured. In short, a being whom only a Creator could put here; and this idea of a creating hand refers to god."

[@clarissa7428]

Also-- amazing setup. Love how you included an icon on the right!

[@iolandaandrade4252]

This was an amazing piece of the dialogue!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@brianw.5230]

Amazing interview!

[@patricksee10]

Great Matt, lovely interview with Peter. Greetings from Sydney

[@PintsWithAquinas]

So what do you think? Who is the greatest philosopher of all time. The correct answer is Socrates ;) ... but who do you enjoy reading the most?

[@user-xt6vw4nm4h]

Matt Fradd The Philosopher, aka Aristotle.

[@johnlinn5129]

I would LOVE to read Socrates, except, he did not write... a clue to his wisdom... how about this: who better in our lives today than Kreeft ? ... crickets ... He deserves immense credit no doubt!

[@playdohsrepublic5149]

Me.

[@mariab.774]

@William Totally agree with you

[@MrTeaSPoon12]

Plato undoubtedly.

[@krysta-ajhaah-min-yah8368]

I like what he says about being born for others. In the new age they have this concept of "service-to-self" vs "service-to-others"... In recent days I realize that I was born into the Roman Catholic shield to master this lesson.

[@Autobotmatt428]

I love the Pensees I got a copy a year a go and always have it out and comeback to it.

[@ishashka]

The discussion about Plato and Aristotle at the beginning fits perfectly with the quote "amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas"

[@residentevil1197]

The "Just Do It" part really hit hard

[@clarissa7428]

Wow! The phrase "it fragments the internal life" seems too perfectly fitting to the situation to have been invented off the cuff, but at the same time it seemed too organic that I'm very impressed at the possibility (that it was indeed invented off the cuff).

[@kevinmoran-ji2zl]

Another elite thinker. I attended some of his lectures at Boston College back in the early eights.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Wonderful.

[@phillipmarshall2982]

There you go Matt, Augustine; he takes your breath away.

[@joemccoy2287]

What was the book on Aristotle mentioned at the beginning? Did Prof. Kreeft say the author is "Teller"? I can't make it out.

[@krysta-ajhaah-min-yah8368]

Wow the last part is the cure for solipsistic hubris... I thought that regular practice of the sacrament of Reconciliation would be enough

[@dynamic9016]

Quite interesting.

[@tigerhunter8878]

Which work of Plato is the most beautiful? Someone help me find the most prose, poetic, work by Plato on human behavior.

[@verastanaj1109]

What about sitting in church without any person there. Does that count?

[@southernbella8503]

Hey, Matt! I always love your videos! Thanks for the effort you put into making them really intellectual and fascinating! So, I have a question for you...I am a 20 year old college student who has always been interested in philosophy and theology. I am also very interested in learning about were the will, the intellect, the memory, etc. all reside, as well as their functions and things like the appetites and different types of virtues and all that stuff. My questions are... 1. Do you know what branch of philosophy or theology I am talking about when I mentioned the will, the intellect, etc? I can never find a word to describe what I want to know. Is it just theology or philosophy or is a specific branch like systematic philosophy, etc.? I'm a complete novice when it comes to these things, but I have a passion for them!! 2. Do you know what are the best books or courses I could read on philosophy? 3.. Do you know what are the best books or courses I could read on theology? I'd love to study those things above, and particularly - Aristotle - Thomas Aquinas - Plato - Socrates - Pascel (y'all described his work so beautifully I'm hooked!) - Augustine - Nichi Do you know the best books or courses on these 7 men, beginner friendly or otherwise? Thanks!!!

[@mickieknows7712]

Check out Francisco Suarez and his "Metaphysical Disputations." He was one of the finest fruits of the Second Scholasticism and he was a thorough Thomist.

[@southernbella8503]

@@mickieknows7712 Thanks, Cathy! I'll definitely look him up!

[@drewmann856]

Metaphysics

[@southernbella8503]

@Roaming Catholic Thanks so much for the suggestions!! This must've taken a bit of time to amass, and I appreciate it! I'll get started on those, soon! Also, do you have any idea of what kind of branch of philosophy or theology I was talking about when I mentioned the will, intellect, and the appetites and such? I would just really love to have a name to put to it! Thank you, again, and I will be sure to contact you if I have anymore questions! Do you have a degree in philosophy or theology, by chance? Just curious...

[@southernbella8503]

@@drewmann856 Thanks so much!

[@martinmichael7258]

Wow I subcribe

[@bertrandrussell4]

Who is the host, please?

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

Aristotle, for me.

[@zacharypayne4080]

Do you have any pints?

[@HarryJoiner]

4:47 ... wow

[@sensibleorange4886]

That escalate fast

[@loganw1232]

Silence is necessary to hear the Lord.

[@mariog1490]

Aristotles criticism of Plato is bad though. The so called “third argument” was actually known by Plato himself in Parmenides. I mean seriously. Later in Aristotles criticism of Plato, he argues something’s substance is the same as its essence. But in order for this to be true, you must assume platonism.

[@PioneeringPhilosophy]

Obviously Thomas Aquinas Aristotle were best And in current era I guess William lane Craig

[@norbertjendruschj9121]

Wow! Couldn´t disagree more WLC is an idiot.

[@joemccoy2287]

Aristotle was the greatest of the minor Platonists.

[@salvadorealiberto]

I wonder if extroverts have a harder time with sitting still and alone than introverts. Introverts enjoy the inner life. Extroverts - these gents - don't. I do agree with Kreeft's point about the ideal life being other-centric, however.

[@rocguti6216]

Why Peter like many others says "Life is supposed to be hard" It's all about perception

[@zzc8505]

first off, "it's all about perception" is a typical postmodern moral and otherwise relativism. There are objective facts, including trauma, hardships, trials, tragedies, human drama. If you think life isn't hard, you are: 1) too young to know what life is like; 2) very fortunate to be spared serious trauma, serious trials, serious hardship 3) in denial and not in touch with your feelings/self. You are either emotionally stunted, and/or suppressed your feelings; and/or gaslighting yourself or being gaslighted by others; and/or any of the other dysfunctional immature modes of being. Life is hard, and it is very hard for most people; and yes, it is supposed to be hard; otherwise there would be no point in Salvation and faith etc.

[@cliffhanley2120]

Is believing something just as easy as getting up and opening a door? Could Peter choose to believe that pigs can fly just as easily as he could get up and open a door to someone?

[@ciaranlaurings9326]

what i found suspect in all of this is how the enterviewee doesnt allow the interview to really speak, even though he makes interesting points. How can one be interested in philosophy but not be humble enough to allow others to speak too. I suppose only one who deems Aristotle superior in any way over Plato.

[@michaell1425]

It is hardly believable they everything that happens to each person is for that person's good. Good for the whole, sure. But not always good for the person.

[@johnlinn5129]

Great video and author - of ALL TIME ???? - no

[@god5535]

Socrates the OG.....

[@charityrosewalker3093]

I sit in a dark room silently for hours everyday. I enjoy my own head, but I’m always searching for God.

[@bobjoe7380]

In my opinion Immanuel Kant is definitely the best philosoher

[@nobodynobody4389]

Nietzsche is the obvious choice

[@francpez7564]

Follow religion and be the lamb. Turn to philosophy and be the lion. Discard the Hebrew scrolls into the fiery pit and hold forth the crown of wisdom. Take the owl’s nest upon your head and study philosophy. .

[@rogeredwards4871]

Most Christians don't want faith and trust, they want answers and certitude, the exact opposite of Biblical faith.

[@Agaporis12]

I can’t believe you guys missed this. Pascal tells you why you can’t sit alone in a room quietly. It’s because you are inherently miserable. Man is mortal, impotent, and ignorant and anyone who thinks on himself be he king, priest, or prophet, will find he is reflecting on a miserable speck of dust. It’s not just that you don’t like yourself. It’s that your nature is objectively miserable and nothing and almost no one can change it. There is one who can, though.

[@norbertjendruschj9121]

I really wonder why religious people need to make them first miserable, so some sky magician can save them them. I am a quite atheists. And I certainly do not need faiey tales about a mediocre Jewish rabbi.

[@chayanroychoudhury3091]

As if philosophy begins and ends in the West only.

[@st.mephisto8564]

These guys don't consider Eastern giants like Samkara or Buddha to be doing actual philosophy because, Western philosophy is objective based not taking into account the subject.

[@user-sd8vy1yb4r]

who cares who the greatest human philosopher of all time? who cares? Jesus Christ is the greatest of anything that ever existed. why is the catholic church estimating the value of human philosophers? this is blasphemy!

[@norbusganklepuss68]

There is no such thing as a great philosopher. Only great ideas.

[@JamesIdentity]

Great ideas come from great men.

[@markjlenox]

@@JamesIdentity Great ideas come from God, revealed to and repeated by Men.

[@lalsenarath]

Whole purpose of logic is to trust no one, not even god! When you trust it is called mythology! No one can say which is better!

[@TheFlipSpiceland]

You can write this guy off the moment he says "if you take Sartre seriously you have mental problems". If you can't read Sartre and apply his pessimism in a constructive way you're just lazy.

[@spurcalluth6300]

In all the vast history of philosophy there has never been any philosopher that was universally liked by all other philosophers. If you're using your criterion consistently then you're not reading any philosophy at all. You're writing all of them off.

[@GeoCoppens]

The most important philosopher was Karl R. Popper. His philosophy of science was unprecedented!