[fqued]

According to your "useful definition" of a philosopher, neither Socrates nor Jesus qualifies, since neither ever wrote a book or treatise that we know of. And yet, both of these qualify as philosophers of the first rank.

Again, Buddha does not qualify. But, any Tom, Dick, or Harry who wrote a children's book does!?!

[ComtedeMaistre]

>>>According to your "useful definition" of a philosopher, neither Socrates nor Jesus qualifies, since neither ever wrote a book or treatise that we know of. And yet, both of these qualify as philosophers of the first rank.<<<<

But their ideas were written down. That makes them philosophers.

That is why in my post, I mentioned Barry Goldwater, whose ideas were ghost-written by Bozell.

>>>Again, Buddha does not qualify<<<

Buddhas teachings have been written down. He would qualify.

>>>But, any Tom, Dick, or Harry who wrote a children's book does!?!<<<

I specifically excluded authors of children's books, from being mentioned as philosophers.