Philosophers

Who is the most influential philosopher in US history? How did he or she affect US ideology?

Comments

Most influential on US history was probably John Locke (1632-1704, see plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke), who influenced our conception of limited government (as developed especially in the Federalist Papers) as well as the relative unconcern in the US with economic inequality.

It is hard to find influential philosophers in US history. I would rate as the most influential John Dewey (1859-1952, see www.iep.utm.edu/d/dewey.htm; plato.stanford.edu/entries/dewey-political). His pragmatist philosophy left a lasting mark especially on the US education system, emphasizing learning by doing as well as civic education.

Generally, the historical influence of philosophers is very indirect and slow to manifest itself. Judgments about such influences are therefore difficult to defend and controversial. Still, it seems that philosophers have played less of a role in influencing US history than they have played in the history of other countries such as China, Germany, France, and Great Britain.

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