Most Important Writers to Influence the Wetern World

[Don K Dyck]

Most Important Writers to Influence the Western World

Last evening I got into a discussion with some friends about the most important books to influence the modern Western World. The debate was too long and detailed to reproduce here . . . my contribution was three titles . . .

1. Richard Hakluyt Voyages from 1589, in 8 volumes, documenting early European exploration of the New World and inspiring the development of English Merchantilism.

2. Thomas Pain, Commonsense , 1776, the pamphlet/book that inspired the formation of the United States of America.

3. John Locke, Two Treatises on Civil Government , 1690, the thoughts of a political philosopher and early educationalist.

What three books do YOU think have been most influencial on modern thinking of the Western World?

 

[roxanne69]

My three choices? Wow, hard to narrow it down to just 3.

Plato's Republic

The Hite Report

Stuck for a third here...lemme think about this one...

 

[Guest]

Plato- Republic
Orwell- 1984
Machiavelli- The Prince

 

[SpectralDragoon]

I'm going with a theme here, look out...


Einstein baby.


He didn't write novels/books per se, but basically each paper he wrote became a new branch of physics.

 

[roxanne69]

Sorry, just thought of it, my mind is muddled tonight. The bible.

 

[Guest]

Sorry, just thought of it, my mind is muddled tonight. The bible.

yes, its the best piece of fiction ever written!!!!

 

[miles]

ppman says redwave's vomit-inducing 9/11 piece is on par with Homer.

Nope, even I couldn't make up that gem.

 

[Monazwx]

The first thought was the Bible as well.
Then Machiavelli's "Prince," second.

Don't have a third yet.
(It's 1am, my brain is on shutdown)

Edit: Maybe the Odessy or Illiad, it's a tie.

 

[Don K Dyck]

Humour Me . . . Please.

ppman says redwave's vomit-inducing 9/11 piece is on par with Homer.

Nope, even I couldn't make up that gem.

heheheh . . . OK, OK . . . Miles, humour me for one short moment . . . and answer the question seriously . . . "What three books do you think have had the most influence on modern thinking in the Western World?"

 

[Olivianna]

Thomas Aquinas.

God.

 

[Minkey Boodle]

Dr. Seuss.

God-er.

 

[REDWAVE]

inches

You know miles, Don-- he just can't pass up an opportunity to bash liberals and leftists, even if it has nothing to do with the topic at hand. It must be awful being him-- constantly filled with hatred and venom.


I pity the poor fellow.

 

[roxanne69]

yes, its the best piece of fiction ever written!!!!

Hi deSade I agree with you personally but it has influenced Western society greatly for better or for worse no?

 

[SpectralDragoon]

fact or fiction aside, definitely influential

 

[REDWAVE]

My Big 3

As you know, I gave you a different list in PM's, Don, but here goes my stab at the big three overall:

Aristotle's Metaphysics
The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith
Critique of Pure Reason, by Immanuel Kant

 

[kotori]

Thomas Aquinas.

Summa Theologica was the first one to pop into my head.

 

[Olivianna]

Summa Theologica was the first one to pop into my head.

We've got this weird brain thing in common going on, little bird.

 

[Shaq]

The first thought was the Bible as well.
Then Machiavelli's "Prince," second.

Don't have a third yet.
(It's 1am, my brain is on shutdown)

Edit: Maybe the Odessy or Illiad, it's a tie.

I'll second her first two and add the Founders of the Constitution and Magna Carta (I think that's what it's called)

 

[Minkey Boodle]

Rakim

 

[p_p_man]

well as you've asked...

1. Catcher in the Rye

2. Clockwork Orange

3. Under the Roofs of Paris

Each one marked a sea change in how people saw 1) themselves 2) their society and 3) their sexuality...

ppman

 

[Guest]

They're bound to be books I have yet to read, and there are so many......so many, so little time.

 

[Monazwx]

Good choice Shaq:

Magna Carta - (Latin: "Great Charter")

"Document guaranteeing English political liberties, drafted at Runnymede, a meadow by the Thames, and signed by King John in 1215 under pressure from his rebellious barons. Resentful of the king's high taxes and aware of his waning power, the barons were encouraged by the archbishop of Canterbury, S. Langton, to demand a solemn grant of their rights. Among the charter's provisions were clauses providing for a free church, reforming law and justice, and controlling the behavior of royal officials. It was reissued with alterations in 1216, 1217, and 1225. Though it reflects the feudal order rather than democracy, the Magna Carta is traditionally regarded as the foundation of British constitutionalism"

 

[roxanne69]

Re: well as you've asked...

1. Catcher in the Rye

2. Clockwork Orange

3. Under the Roofs of Paris

Each one marked a sea change in how people saw 1) themselves 2) their society and 3) their sexuality...

ppman

LOL how old are you 12????

 

[Tremolo]

um, how about the Lit writer's in the Lit book? no one bothered to mention them?

 

[Guest]

Hi deSade I agree with you personally but it has influenced Western society greatly for better or for worse no?

its very influential as is the LOTR trilogy.