In light of the Bertrand Russell thread, help me find this philosopher/writer... [more inside]
posted by Tchad on Jun 8, 2009 - 11 answers

Does anyone know anything about an obscure German philosopher by the name of Ludwig Fischer? [more inside]
posted by ornate insect on Jan 4, 2009 - 4 answers

After reading Sticherbeast's FPP on the Thomas Ligotti interview, I was very eager to read the Peter Zapffe essay Ligotti refers to--"The Last Messiah".

A look with Google and Amazon turned up no full texts in English, for free or otherwise. Do any MeFites have a translation of "The Last Messiah" they'd be willing to share or sell, or leads on where to find same?
posted by everichon on Nov 28, 2004 - 5 answers

Does anyone know which Greek philosopher introduced the idea that African men have overly large genitals, and in which work he wrote this? Also, can anyone point me to the renaissance work that attributed the supposed inferiority of black people to the curse of Cain? I've heard of (and I think read) both of these, but cannot remember the references. Any information abouts attempts to blame white racism on black folks themselves would be helpful, actually.
posted by eustacescrubb on Nov 10, 2004 - 4 answers

Do we have any evidence outside of Plato that Socrates existed? Is it at all possible that Socrates was a literary construct?
posted by quarantine on Jun 15, 2004 - 3 answers