French philosophers : From Descartes, who founded modern philosophy, to Lévinas via Sartre, French philosophy is read and celebrated around the world. Indeed, France has given philosophy its most important and influential contributors, with Germany and Greece where a modest and curious young stonemason became the first philosopher in history. His name is Socrates, he walks barefoot and has only one passion: to learn from others by asking them questions.
Tailor-Made Private Tour Guide
| Pricing | Custom Features | Duration | Number of people |
|---|---|---|---|
| From 240 Euros | With hotel pick up | 2 hours | Up to 6 persons |
| From 360 Euros | With hotel pick up | 3 hours | Up to 6 persons |
| From 480 Euros | With hotel pick up | 4 hours | Up to 6 persons |
| From 720 Euros | Hotel pick up lunch break | 6 hours | Up to 6 persons |
| From 850 Euros | With guide and driver | 4 hours | Up to 6 persons |
| Upon quotation | Your choice | Your choice | Your choice |
Definition of philosophy
Philosophy, from the ancient Greek φιλοσοφία (composed of φιλεῖν, philein: “to love”; and of σοφία, sophia: “wisdom” or “to know”), literally meaning “love of wisdom”, is an approach of critical reflection and of questioning about the world, knowledge and human existence.
Aristotle: “Philosophy is rightly called the science of truth” (Metaphysics)
French philosophers
- René Descartes: Founder of the cogito – influenced by: Plato, Aristotle
- Montaigne: Father of humanism precursor and founder of “human and historical sciences”
- Marie de Gournay wrote The Equality of Men and Women editor and commentator of Montaigne
- Blaise Pascal: Creator of existentialism also French mathematician, physicist, inventor
- Montesquieu: Thinker of the separation of powers legislative, executive and judicial
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Thinker of democracy influenced by Hobbes and Locke
- Diderot: Founder of the Encyclopedia prominent figure during the Age of Enlightenment
- Voltaire: Philosopher of tolerance prominent figure during the Age of Enlightenment.
- Bergson: Thinker of vital energy influenced by Gilles Deleuze, Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre
- Durkheim: developed a vigorous methodology combining empirical research with sociological theory
- Comte: Formulated the doctrine of positivism influenced by Saint Simon
- Tocqueville: Observer of democracy French aristocrat, diplomat, political scientist, political philosopher
- Alain (Émile Chartier) : Cartesian thinker, associated with rationalism
- Bachelard: Epistemologist French philosopher of science, poetry, education and time
- Baudrillard: French sociologist, philosopher for his analyses of media, culture, and communication
- Sartre: one of the key figures in the philosophy of existentialism and phenomenology
- De Beauvoir: significant influence on both feminist existentialism and feminist theory
- Monique Wittig : Philosopher and feminist who wrote about overcoming enforced gender roles
- Camus: French-Algerian philosopher thinker of the absurd
- Jankélévitch: Thinker of death and moralist influenced by Henri Bergson
- Lévi – Strauss: key in the development of the theory of structuralism
- Bourdieu: Marxist sociologist, creator of the sociology of fields
- Simone Weil: thinker of Christian mysticism and marxism
- Élisabeth Badinter : known for her philosophical treatises on feminism and women’s role in society…
Depending on your interests, we will custom the tour for a private walking or driving tour
French philosophers in Paris
Lots of philosophers from above have studied, worked, and lived in Paris : Descartes, Blaise Pascal, Montesquieu, Diderot, Voltaire, Rousseau, Simone Weil…
One of my favorite French philosophers are The philosophes des Lumières. This movement began in the second half of the 17th century, originating in France with Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Denis Diderot, and spreading throughout Europe. Over time, it became the Siècle des Lumières, in English the Age of Enlightenment. The Enlightenment, these political, social, economic thinkers made commitments against political and religious oppression, social and ethnic injustices and intellectual obscurantism. Finally, these French philosophers inspired the revolution of 1789.
“To philosophize is to give the reason for things, or at least to seek it; for as long as we limit ourselves to seeing and reporting what we see we are only a historian. When we calculate and measure the proportions things, their magnitudes, their values, one is a mathematician – but the one who stops to discover the reason which makes that things are, and that things are rather like that than in another way, it is the philosopher proper “
Diderot and D’Alembert, Encyclopédie, article” Philosophie “
A major icon of the the Age of Enlightenment is Voltaire. Voltaire’s body was transferred to the Pantheon on July 11, 1791 without his heart and his brain, dispatched in other places. In 1864, Napoleon III decided to bring the heart of the philosopher to Paris from Voltaire’s castle in Ferney and to transfer it to the National Library. Actually, His heart is placed in the plaster of a statue made by sculptor Houdon: it is still there today. The marble statue of Voltaire at the Comédie-Française in Paris hold his brain. Discover this great man !
Combination of Paris Tours
PARIS BY EMY offers combinations of customizable Paris tour guide that allow you to combine different types of experiences.
- Walking private tour guide
- Private driver Paris tours
- Driving private tour outside Paris
- Driving tours with driver only
- Museum private tour guide
You can also personalize the tours to focus on specific themes or leisure activities, tailoring the experience to your preferences.
To conclude, PARIS BY EMY offers you tailor made itinerary with hotels recommendations according to your criteria, restaurants recommendations. Be cosseted and faithful in our recommendations thanks to unique custom-made tours for each client.