9 Documentaries About Philosophy That Will Make You Think

Philosophy documentaries

Watching a documentary is always a good idea to culturalize ourselves. If they also make us think, much better.

If you are simply in the right frame of mind to watch a piece of this film genre, you might like to watch some of the following philosophy documentaries because they will lead you to learn and ask questions while you have a good time.

Recommendable Documentaries on Philosophy

The expression of philosophical themes in audiovisual format is a very attractive option to learn about certain topics Next we will see documentaries that address very important philosophical topics in the field of philosophy.

1. Greek philosophers

The Greeks laid the foundations of Western philosophical thought Thanks to his way of reasoning, a solid set of hypotheses emerged about the nature of the world in which we live, as well as the establishment of formal logic.

The Greeks intuited various theories that have been contrasted and validated or refuted by modern science, and many of his moral ideas were incorporated into Christian moral doctrine Also when it comes to political ideas, Europe and the West in general have had a fundamental influence on ancient Greek thinkers.

The impact of the Greek thinkers has been undoubted, and in this documentary we can briefly review their entire philosophical legacy.

2. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis

Sigmund Freud studied neurology in Paris, specifically the applications of hypnosis in the treatment of hysteria with the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot. Then, upon returning to Vienna, he developed the cathartic method in collaboration with Josef Breuer. But he gradually abandoned these methods to focus on free association and the interpretation of dreams, which gave way to what we know as psychoanalysis

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The remembrance of psychogenic traumas as the origin of symptoms gave rise to the etiological theory of the different neuroses, the starting point of psychoanalysis. Freud dedicated the rest of his life to expanding the theoretical body of a model that has been and is fundamental to understanding the history of psychology, society and art.

3. Lacan: Reinventing Psychoanalysis

This documentary produced by Arte France and L’INA in 2001 shows the life and work of Jaques Lacan one of the most important psychoanalysts who followed in Freud’s wake.

Lacan’s work highlights the study of different psychological phenomena such as paranoia in order to understand human nature. Lacan also explores the reach that words have Understanding that language is structured by the unconscious, he abandons the science of biology conceived after Charles Darwin to reveal the subversiveness of psychoanalysis.

4. Zizek!

This documentary is dedicated to the philosopher, psychoanalyst and cultural critic Slavoj Žižek. The thought of Jaques Lacan is very present in his work, which also draws on Marxism. In the documentary you can see how The philosopher tends to use popular culture to give an example of his theories One of the most entertaining philosophy documentaries.

5. Human, Too Human

Human, Too Human is a three-part television documentary series co-produced by the BBC and RM Arts in 1999. It is based on the lives of three great philosophers: Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger and Jean-Paul Sartre

The documentary focuses on the school of philosophical thought known as Existentialism, and is named after the book written by Nietzsche in 1878. Human, All Too Human: A Book for Free Spirits (German: Menschliches, Allzumenschliches: Ein Buch für freie Geister).

6. The Zen Mind

This documentary tells us about Zen Buddhism in Japan, explaining the two main schools that exist: Rinzai School and Soto School

The Rinzai Zen School is characterized by its emphasis on Kenshō (enlightenment or true nature) as an entrance to authentic Buddhism. Training lighting allows you to achieve wisdom for the proper functioning of the activities of daily life.

The Soto School is distinguished by focusing on the practice of Shikantaza, a unique approach to Zazen that translates as “silent enlightenment” or “sitting.” It is based on full attention to the present moment.

7. Carl Jung – The Inner World, in his own words

In this documentary the famous and renowned Carl Jung appears, Swiss psychiatrist, psychologist and essayist The basis of the documentary are fragments of two interviews that could already be classified as legendary.

Jung was a key figure in the initial stage of psychoanalysis. He later founded the school of psychology of complexes and depth psychology or also known as analytical psychology. According to Jung, our essence is determined by this force of internal reality. Jung especially studied the realm of dreams.

8. Pierre Bourdieu: images of Algeria

Interesting documentary that has the collaboration of several professors, focused on the figure of the thinker and sociologist Pierre Bourdieu and his way of understanding the world in a period as turbulent as the 20th century.

9. Nietzsche Days in Turin

In this biographical documentary about the life of Friedrich Nietzsche, the last days of this philosopher in the city of Turin are reproduced, just before he began to experience severe mental alterations. A story that serves to understand the vitalist thinking of this German intellectual and the way in which his experiences left an emotional mark on his philosophy.