Line #61 Main/ThePhilosopher


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7	->'''Comicus:''' I coalesce the vapors of human experience into a viable and meaningful comprehension.\
8	'''Dole Office Clerk:''' Oh. A bullshit artist.
9	-->-- ''Film/HistoryOfTheWorldPartI''
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11	This is a character who brings into question various philosophical concepts, and discusses them at length. This is usually a supporting character, but can sometimes be the main protagonist, depending on the scenario. In either case, other characters tend to flock to them, looking for answers.
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13	While usually highly intelligent, the Philosopher differs from TheSmartGuy and TheStrategist in one vital area; while the philosopher is clever, his great thoughts rarely amount to any direct, effective action. It's up to the more practical heroes to make sense of what he's saying and implement a plan.
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15	The characterisation of the Philosopher is dependent on the nature of the show/book/comic they're appearing in. A straight fantasy tale will usually make the Philosopher sage-like, a valuable source of information for the characters. If it's a video game, this is probably the guy to talk to if you want a hint as to what to do next -- though he'll probably tell you in a roundabout way. Instead of saying "Go to the harbour," he's likely to muse out loud that all life comes from the sea. Usually male, he's generally a mage, a sage, or a bookkeeper of some sort. In action series, though, the Philosopher might be surprising -- in superhero teams ''anyone'' can fall into this category, as even the most vicious and seemingly cynical member of the team can suddenly start quoting Creator/{{Socrates}}.
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17	In a comedy series, particularly {{Sadist Show}}s and dark comedies, however, The Philosopher is extremely rare and if they do exist, may vary from the OnlySaneMan to the ButtMonkey. Perhaps due to the assumed anti-intellectualism of television culture, or simply the perception that people who like to ponder the nature of life never get around to ''doing'' anything useful, the fact that this character "thinks too much" is likely to get him [[TalkToTheFist punched]] or killed off, mostly if the philosopher is a WideEyedIdealist (cynics are often portrayed as {{Deadpan Snarker}}s). An alternative tactic is to have said idealist [[TooCleverByHalf ponder something at great length]] [[StrawVulcan while coming to no useful conclusion, whereupon]] TheDitz (or [[BrainChain other appropriate character type]]) [[TooDumbToFool will pipe up with]] [[CuttingTheKnot a mind-numbingly simple and effective solution]].
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19	Another version is the tragic philosopher, someone who understands life at a deeper level because life has made them suffer for that knowledge. This can go one of three ways; he is either motivated to change the world around him, using his personal angst as proof that the world is basically unfair and needs to be remodeled, and, in the process, becoming a WellIntentionedExtremist. Or, he is [[ParalysisByAnalysis totally paralysed by "knowing too much",]] [[HeroicBlueScreenOfDeath and virtually useless,]] [[GetAHoldOfYourselfMan unless the hero can snap him out of it]]. Still another, more extreme one, is, of course, the StrawNihilist. A tragic philosopher is difficult to write without descending into {{Wangst}}, however, as he's not only angsty, but pretty verbose about it.
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21	Many people find this type of character to be annoying or heavy-handed, but keep in mind [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools that this trope is not, intrinsically, a bad thing]]. When written well, this character can give another layer of importance, or meaning, to the overall story. When done sloppily, however, this can fall into FauxlosophicNarration, which can often contain an overload of SesquipedalianLoquaciousness. When writing about people like this, tread carefully, for it can be a very fine line.
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23	Compare TheFatalist. The WarriorPoet may have aspects of this... Indeed, if the Philosopher holds his own in combat, they'll often overlap. He may also be an EruditeStoner. If he holds a position of power, he would be a [[ThePhilosopherKing Philosopher King]]. These characters are particularly prone to LeaningOnTheFourthWall and other ways of invoking {{Metafiction}}, especially through discussing ThePowerOfLanguage.
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25	----
26	!!Examples:
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28	[[foldercontrol]]
29
30	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
31	* [[TalkativeLoon Graham]] [[MotorMouth Specter]] of ''Literature/{{Baccano}}''. He never stops talking, and while he's talking, he philosophizes. However, he will change his philosophies and contradict himself in the same few sentences(or ''sentence'') sometimes.
32	* Aion, the villain of ''Manga/ChronoCrusade'' has a tendency to go into long speeches about how demons need to "break free from the system". Chrono is presented as Aion's much more emotional (and less rational) counterpart, but when the plot calls for one of the heroes to be philosophical it's normally him. By the end of the manga they're trading speeches back and forth.
33	* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' has many characters muse on the meaning of life and what it means to be human. The most notable example, however, is probably MadBomber Solf J. Kimblee, who combines RousseauWasRight with a dose of SocialDarwinism for a [[MoralSociopathy truly unusual outlook on life]].
34	* Itsuki of ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya''. Not only effective as the Philosopher but nearly as difficult to follow as his ancient Greek forerunners. Just trying to make sense of what he's saying is a mental workout, for the audience as well as Kyon.
35	** [[MeaningfulName Kyon]] himself is a more down-to-Earth version of the Philosopher (especially in the books), but unlike Itsuki, usually [[FauxlosophicNarration keeps it to himself]].
36	** Shamisen deserves an honorable mention. Although he only has one speech, he's a good enough philosopher that upon being introduced he manages to sidetrack the brigade members into a debate over the nature of conversation and away from the fact that, you know, '''''he's a talking cat'''''.
37	** Sasaki exemplifies this trope, so much that even the aforementioned Itsuki is impressed. You have to admire someone who can come up with a clever and confusing speech about light and quantum mechanics on the drop of the hat while talking about schoolwork.
38	* One of the most magnificent scenes in anime displays one of this in ''Anime/HellsingUltimate''. Captain Bernadotte's late grandfather displays not just a magnificently directed and executed speech in his brief scene of origin, but in the same time showers tropes with everything it touches on; Grandpa is a philosopher who probably [[TheMeaningOfLife set the entirety of Bernadotte's life expectations down]]. Grandba is being [[CruelToBeKind painfully truthful]] with his grandson, and tells him [[ChronicVillainy why eight generations of their family were mercenaries, and also, why will he be one as well.]] With his speech Grandpa also turns out to be, and describes himself and the family, as the scum of society, while foreshadows the same for Bernadotte. Grandpa goes over a whole range of [[MoralDilemma moral dilemmas]] that could probably give him and the family an excuse, but then throws all of those out, deeming [[HumansAreBastards any people acting based on any of the mentioned morals as just a bunch of clueless folks who would be okay with chump change that could give them basic comfort, thus averting them from killing each other]]. At this point, [[AtLeastIAdmitIt being honest about only fighting for money]] already seems like [[AboveGoodAndEvil an almost positive feat, but at least it elevates the mercenary family and company out of the clueless masses]]. But Grandpa tops everything off by stating, [[CodeOfHonour deliberately choosing their profession and sticking to it]], is understandably frowned upon by others, so Bernadotte is left alone to deal with the [[RousseauWasRight peer pressure in either direction]] but [[IAmWhatIAm calmly, and seemingly comfortably]] [[KnewItAllAlong claims the inevitable]].
39	* Herakles aka Greece from ''Webcomic/HetaliaAxisPowers'' looks like a relaxed slacker, but if you read his lines carefully, you'll see that he can have quite the trains of thoughts under the CloudCuckooLander facade.
40	* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'' is fairly heavy on the philosophy of its conflict and setting. Several characters spend their time contemplating and commenting on it throughout the series and [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny its sequel]]. Each one represents conflicting viewpoints:
41	** The most prolific is the original series BigBad [[spoiler: Rau Le Creuset]]. He presents many perspectives, from TheCynic, to TheFatalist , all the way to a complete StrawNihilist. His eloquence and conviction to his worldview can [[HeroicBSOD crush many people he shares it with]] and leave deep scars on the remainder.
42	** ZAFT Supreme Chairman Gilbert Durandal of the sequel takes up for [[spoiler: Rau]]. He ruminates on the nature of humans, fate, and how genetics plays into both. Like his predecessor, he is [[TheFatalist very fatalistic]], almost descending into StrawNihilist territory as well, but he differs in his belief that a "correct" path exists and that [[WellIntentionedExtremist he can lead humanity to it]].
43	** Contrasting both is the series BigGood Lacus Clyne. She believes that humans could potentially reach a state where they do not need to war but that the unilateralism of both sides is crushing any chance of reaching it. In the original series, she's also self-aware enough to see the contradictions in the heroes' [[AppealToForce need to resort to force]] and the potentially [[HeWhoFightsMonsters warping influences of power and violence]]. Her philosophy gets messy in the sequel.
44	* ''Manga/{{Naruto}}'' plays with philosophy from time to time. Characters like Neji, Gaara, Rock Lee, Pain, Obito, Madara, Kakashi and Naruto himself amongst others will now and then exposit musings on war and peace, destiny and free will, hard work, bonds and other such topics.
45	* ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' has Yue doing this on occasion. She usually engages in WallsOfText only to find that everyone else is ignoring her.
46	* ''Almost all'' of the cast of ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' are Philosophers to some degree, most notably Rei, Gendo, Fuyuski, Ritsuko and the SEELE members. Most of them also fall into the second category of "tragic philosopher" or "NietzscheWannabe", except for the fact that [[ThereAreNoTherapists everyone else is too psychologically messed up to save them]].
47	** Asuka [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] this after Rei delivers her oft-quoted "mankind has always feared the darkness" line.
48	* These characters are staples of the films of Creator/MamoruOshii, at times taking up the majority of the cast.
49	* Surprisingly, [[TerribleTrio Team Rocket's]] [[FunnyAnimal Meowth]] is one of these in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries''. It often involves him looking at a full moon, often alongside another Pokémon, and his words can often prove helpful or downright touching -- he gave a reflective and hopeful speech while facing his clone and making amends during ''[[Anime/PokemonTheFirstMovie The First Movie]]'', and he gave some heartfelt encouragement to Ash's [[TheWoobie Chimchar]] during ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesDiamondAndPearl'' that seriously helped it start adjusting to the more friendly atmosphere after being traumatised by [[DarkAndTroubledPast its loveless and abusive training with Paul]]. This is one of the kitty's main qualities that shows in the moments that prove he's [[HiddenHeartofGold not as bad as he seems sometimes]].
50	* In ''Anime/PrincessTutu'', Edel leads the heroine (and occasionally other main characters) through the plot with a series of riddles musing on emotions and fairytale tropes. Drosselmeyer, himself, can get rather philosophical when he wishes.
51	* A lot of the characters in ''Manga/{{Vagabond}}'' could qualify as this, notably the monk Takuan and the protagonist Musashi as time goes on and he becomes wiser.
52	* Amon Garam of ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' often quotes René Descartes and other famous philosophers. He later puts some of his own thoughts into [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans action]].
53	* ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'': And speaking of characters named Itsuki...[[spoiler: the Yu Yu version is somewhat of a subversion, as he is arguably [[PsychoSupporter unhinged]]. His personality is arguably a response to the {{Koan}}, "What is the sound of one hand clapping?"]]
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56	[[folder:Comic Books]]
57	* Wobbly Headed Bob in the works of Creator/JhonenVasquez is an example of the tragic philosopher, an incredibly intelligent and enlightened individual trapped in a land of happy-go-lucky morons.
58	** The "incredibly intelligent and enlightened" part falls under InformedAbility. AlternateCharacterInterpretation: hyperbolic arrogance and an ego the size of the Large Magellanic Cloud.
59	* In ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'', the Red Skull is often found alluding more or less clearly to various fascist or reactionary German philosophers in the Nietzsche-Spengler-Juenger tradition, as well as offering his own philosophical observations on the [[NatureIsNotNice sad and heroic]] nature of the universe. As we would expect, since he is essentially an exaggerated {{Expy}} of UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler.
60	* Many, ''many'' examples in ''ComicBook/TheSandman1989''. Even the peripheral characters are apt to wax philosophical to some degree. For a specific case, try this remark by Destruction:
61	-->''"They are using reason as a tool. Reason. [[PerfectSolutionFallacy It is no more reliable a tool than instinct, myth, or dream]]. But it has the potential to be far more dangerous, for them."''
62	* [[Comicbook/Warlock1967 Adam Warlock]] and the Comicbook/SilverSurfer have both always been prone to waxing philosophical on the nature of their existences. Much of ''Silver Surfer #1'' is taken up with Norinn Radd (the Surfer's original identity) bemoaning the stagnation of life on his home planet, and after he's empowered, he likes to go on about the wonders of the universe; the Surfer tended to be quite angsty during the period when Galactus imprisoned him on Earth, but he cheered up after he finally broke free. Warlock, on the other hand, would scarcely be recognizable without his towering angst, and he will go on about it at great length, but we love him for it.
63	** Actually, ''most'' of Marvel's CosmicEntities fit this trope to some extent. It comes with the territory.
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65
66	[[folder:Film]]
67	* ''Film/ALAventure'': The man in the park whom Sandrine talks with is quite knowledgeable about science and philosophical subjects, spending a lot of time telling her about these. He has educated himself on all this, and his day job is just working as a cab driver.
68	* In the film ''Film/BlazingSaddles'', Mongo of all characters is surprisingly philosophical. When asked what "where the choo-choo go?" has to do with Rock Ridge, he responds, "Don't know. Mongo only pawn in game of life."
69	* A surprising number of these moments can be can be found in ''Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982'', first with Conan's father (whose speech becomes a [[ChekhovsGun Chekhov's Sword]]), and later in various conversations with Subotai.
70	-->'''Conan:''' Ha! My god is Crom! He sits high on his mountain... Crom laughs at your puny air god.\
71	'''Subotai:''' Heh, my god is the sky. Your god, he is beneath him!\
72	''Conan pauses and ponders this.''
73	* Tom Edison in ''Film/{{Dogville}}''.
74	* ''Film/MyNameIsEmily'': Robert appears to have taught philosophy, advocating for people to enjoy their life by having more sex and swimming, along with epistemic relativism ("a fact is a point of view"). Emily later argues for the latter while talking to Arden, which annoys him, since he disagrees but can't rebut what she says.
75	* ''Film/StealingHeaven'': Abelard, who is a famous teacher at the University of Paris. Héloïse is to a lesser degree too, with her questions impressing him. In reality, they were both renowned philosophers, and their work is still read, with lasting influence.
76	* Pvt. Witt, [[MessianicArchetype the messianic character]] in ''Film/TheThinRedLine'', is responsible for raising most of the film's questions in his [[InnerMonologue Inner Monologues]].
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78
79	[[folder:Literature]]
80	* ''Literature/AlienInASmallTown:'' both protagonists, the human woman and the StarfishAlien, would qualify as this. Part of why they are such close friends is that they're the only people with whom they can engage in conversations like this.
81	* Most of the characters in ''Literature/TheBrothersKaramazov'' do their fair bit of philosophizing when any topics subject to an AuthorTract come up in polite conversation, but Ivan Karamazov and Father Zosima come across most strongly as the Philosopher in their discussions with the protagonist.
82	* Classic literary example: Dr. Pangloss in Voltaire's ''Literature/{{Candide}}''. His insistence that "all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds" leads his faithful student Candide to wonder [[CrapsackWorld how horrible the other worlds could be]]. This was a deliberate {{satire}} by {{Creator/Voltaire}} or some ideas current at the time [[TakeThat which he vehemently disagreed with]].
83	* There's also the philosophy professor from ''Literature/DecisionOfFate'', who spends the first third or so of the short story giving a lecture on [[SlidingScaleOfFreeWillVsFate fate]].
84	* Literature/{{Discworld}}'s Lord Vetinari gets disturbingly philosophical at times, especially towards the later books. He does generally have some kind of point, though...ish.
85	--> '''Vetinari:''' (concluding long speech)...If there is any kind of supreme being, it is up to all of us to become his moral superior. ''(Literature/UnseenAcademicals)''
86	** '''The ''Literature/{{Unseen Academicals}}'' blurb:''' But the important thing about football -- the ''really'' important thing about football -- is that it is not just about football.
87	** [[FantasyCounterpartCulture Ephebe]] seems to be inhabited almost entirely by Philosophers, particularly in ''Pyramids'' and ''Small Gods''.
88	* Besides the regular {{God}}-gazing sinners and saints of ''Literature/TheDivineComedy'', a sphere in Heaven is dedicated to those who in life embodied wisdom and knowledge of God. This includes the likes of Doctor Thomas Aquinas, Saint Francis, Saint Dominic, and the many scholars and writers from the history of UsefulNotes/{{Christianity}} up to 1300. A number of other pagan philosophers who were admired also have the nicest spot in the Inferno (as they cannot reach heaven without Christ, but were virtuous) such as {{Creator/Aristotle}} and {{Creator/Plato}}. However, others such as Epicurus and his followers are eternally tormented (as [[{{UsefulNotes/Epicureanism}} their philosophy]] denied there was an afterlife) in the first circle, for the heretics.
89	* In ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'', the Ruler of the Universe [[spoiler: is a crazy old guy in a hut somewhere who doesn't believe in ''anything''. Zaphod and Trillian think that the universe is in good hands.]]
90	* Marco Polo and Kublai Khan in ''Literature/InvisibleCities'', who spend most of their time sitting around and talking about cities rather than trading and ruling, respectively.
91	* ''Literature/KnowledgeOfAngels'': Beneditx and Palinor. Also oft-mentioned is Thomas Aquinas, a real example.
92	* [[GeniusBruiser Ham]] in the ''Literature/{{Mistborn}}'' books is prone to annoying his friends by constantly musing about philosophical questions at them. His favorite victims are [[DeadpanSnarker Breeze]] and [[spoiler:Lord Cett]], because [[VitriolicBestBuds they always argue with him]]. It doesn't go unnoticed by the characters, though, that he is more fond of posing philosophical questions than actually trying to answer them, and it is implied at various points that he is not as genuinely philosophical as he first appears -- most notably, when Vin gives a well-deserved TheReasonYouSuckSpeech to Kelsier and the crew about how, since they are all wealthy and well-off [[GentlemanThief gentlemen thieves]], their lives and experiences are as far removed from the harsh realities of Skaa life as can be and their devotion to the cause of Skaa liberation is more than a little shallow; Ham, alone of the crew it appears, seems to act like she [[ComicallyMissingThePoint had just spoken in a foreign language]] and doesn't understand what she was talking about.
93	* ''Literature/TheNeverendingStory'' is full of them. However, special mentions goes to the Three Deep Thinkers, leaders of the Star Cloister of Ghigam, who head an entire order to monks who are dedicated to knowledge and the discovery of the secrets of Fantastica.
94	* Sostratos in ''Literature/OverTheWineDarkSea'' is this. He is an amateur of course and his job was as an IntrepidMerchant. Though when you think about it a number of famous philosophers were "dabblers" and held jobs that had little relation to philosophy. Socrates was a farmer and Marcus Aurlerius was an Emperor and Creator/CSLewis was a Literature professor and so on. It's not surprising, since, except for philosophy professors and the now-obsolete job of court philosopher, no one is going to pay you to sit around and philosophize. Viewed economically, even full-time sages have the "job" of beggar or monastery factotum.
95	* [[Main/TheLancer Nicholas]] [[Main/TheSmartGuy Renzi]] is fond of talking about the philosophies of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hume David Hume]] and the like with {{Literature/Kydd}}, and in ''The Admiral's Daughter'', he begins doing research for his own book.
96	* Most of Raymond Smullyan's dialogues (for instance in ''This Book Needs No Title'' or ''5000 BC'') feature surprisingly understandable and humorous philosophers.
97	* In Creator/CSLewis's ''Literature/TillWeHaveFaces'', Oruals' Greek tutor, the Fox, serves this role. He is the king's most valued adviser, as well was Orual's, when she becomes queen.
98	* In Creator/RobertEHoward's "Literature/TheTowerOfTheElephant" Literature/ConanTheBarbarian remembers listening to their disputes. He was unimpressed. When he references them again in a later story, though, he has [[CharacterDevelopment grown more respectful of them]], probably because he himself had had his share of experiences with [[EldritchAbomination the things]] of which they spoke.
99	* ''Literature/{{Victoria}}'''s ex-military protagonist John Rumford makes constant references to philosophers ranging from Plato and Aristotle to Chesterton to John Boyd as he struggles to defend his embattled community, and wonders how the great thinkers of old would have applied their ideas to his problems.
100	* Pierre Bezukhov falls into this characterization often in ''Literature/WarAndPeace'', and is made more tragic in that he attempts to enact his ideals on the real world only to be deceived into thinking he's making a difference.
101	* [[TheDragon Ishamael]] from ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'' is a very creepy villainous version. Once he was Elan Morin Tedronai, one of the most respected philosophical minds of the Age of Legends, but as he delved deeper into esoteric knowledge he became aware of [[EternalRecurrence the true nature of time]] and was driven into despair and madness, feeling that nothing anyone did could ever matter in such a world. He proceeded to ally with [[GodOfEvil the Dark One]], at first because if everything was meaningless he might as well grab power, but later as his evil began to weigh increasingly heavily on him, he decided it would be best to [[DeathSeeker end his own existence]] -- and [[OmnicidalManiac all existence]] while he was at it. He remains prone to waxing philosophical and theological to the end; the other [[QuirkyMinibossSquad Forsaken]] think he's a madman as a result, though it's more a case of his interests being esoteric beyond their ability (or desire) to follow. Later in the series, [[TheChosenOne Rand]] also wrestles with nihilism in a very similar way, but comes to [[TheAntiNihilist the opposite conclusions]], showing that he has surpassed Ishamael at his own game.
102	* In the ''Literature/ZodiacSeries'', House Aquarius ''deals'' in philosophy. In ''Black Moon'', the Aquarian ambassador even gives a rather philosophical speech to the Tomorrow Pary.
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105	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
106	* Delenn from ''Series/BabylonFive'' is a mystical philosopher, of an alien tradition that seems to be based on emanationist pantheism, mainly because she's a member of her people's religious caste.
107	** ''Series/BabylonFive'' in general likes to wax philosophical, and most of the characters get at least an occasional turn in the Philosopher's chair. At its best, the ideas it puts forward are genuinely thought-provoking and contribute to the great depth and richness of the show. At its worst, it devolves into ContemplateOurNavels and FauxlosophicNarration.
108	* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' kind of averts this with [[TheQuietOne Oz]], who apparently has an elaborately philosophical internal monologue, but one that only becomes apparent when Buffy gains the ability to read his thoughts.
109	* Jubal Early from the ''{{Series/Firefly}}'' episode "Objects In Space" was a bounty hunter prone to quasi-philosophical ramblings while engaged in a mission. He often followed such comments with the rhetorical question, "Does that seem right to you?"
110	* Chidi Anagonye in ''Series/TheGoodPlace''. In fact, he is literally a moral philosophy professor who had a doctoral thesis in the thousands of pages, and part of the reason he is so well-respected by the rest of the cast is because he offers the perfect advice at the perfect time. However, his extensive knowledge of moral dilemmas and competing theories, coupled with an unspecified mental disorder and his former ChildProdigy status, have led to him being [[ShrinkingViolet shy]] and extremely [[TheDitherer indecisive]]. Being a rare example of a philosopher as a sitcom lead, Chidi eventually undergoes tons of CharacterDevelopment to become more confident and assured, [[spoiler:enough to almost single-handedly reform a demon into an angel and redesign the entire afterlife]] even though he already starts out much more well-written than most comedic examples of this trope.
111	%%* Mohinder, in ''Series/{{Heroes}}''./%% Zero context example
112	* Wilson from ''Series/HomeImprovement'' tended to deliver the show's [[AnAesop aesop]] with stories and quotes, much to the confusion of Tim Allen's character. However, even though the show was a comedy, he was almost never the ButtMonkey.
113	* Chris Stevens spun many philosophical musings between records on ''Series/NorthernExposure.''
114	* Detective Watts from ''Series/MurdochMysteries'', whose musings on Marx, Kierkegaard etc. cause the more pragmatic Detective Murdoch to have a bad first impression of him.
115	* Lister, in ''Series/RedDwarf'', was surprisingly effective as the Philosopher, but his more intelligent insights and musings were often undermined by the plot -- ''Series/RedDwarf'' is, after all, a comedy.
116	** One particularly memorable example of Lister's more thoughtful attributes can be found in "Justice"; after escaping a world where law-abiding behaviour is cleverly enforced by turning the effects of any misdeed back on the perpetrator (for example, hitting someone means ''you'' get hurt), Lister reflects on how the nature of reality has to be unfair in order to allow for free will...then promptly falls down a manhole mid-rant, much to his comrades' relief.
117	* Captain Picard from ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' is shown to be extremely erudite and well-read, and he frequently takes a philosophical approach to the various [[MoralDilemma Moral Dilemmas]] the crew of the ''Enterprise'' find themselves entangled in. (In fact, this is such a trademark of his character that there's [[PatrickStewartSpeech a trope]] named for it.) That being said, Picard is rarely long-winded, and is always ready to take action when the time for talking has passed.
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119
120	[[folder:Theater]]
121	* Creator/WilliamShakespeare's ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'' is a classic example of a ponderous protagonist who spends a lot of time with philosophical soliloquies and reflections.
122	* Lucentio in ''Theatre/TheTamingOfTheShrew''... for about two seconds. Then he sees Bianca and his plans to study at the University of Padua ''instantly'' fly out the window, to be replaced by a ZanyScheme to win her which occupies him for the rest of the play.
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124
125	[[folder:Video Games]]
126	* Reading [[Franchise/AssassinsCreed Altaïr's]] codex pages are philosophical in themselves. Someone on tumblr even once wrote “The man was a philosopher first and an assassin second."
127	* ''Tons'' of characters in ''VideoGame/ChronoCross'' -- even random [=NPCs=]!
128	* Zizek from ''VideoGame/TheCloserGameOfTheYearEdition''; not only is he based on the real-life Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek, he's also a playable character whose combat is essentially holding impromptu debates against enemies and applying a couple types of critiques at them. To deal "damage", you have to pick the appropriate response to a certain dilemma according to the chosen philosophy. For that matter, his combat tutorial is not against any person or concrete thing, but rather the Concept Of {{Irony}}.
129	* ''VideoGame/DawnOfCrafting'': [[ParodiedTrope Parodied]] with a man named [[PunnyName Filos O'Fiero]] that you encounter, who claims to your character that [[BreakingTheFourthWall they are all characters within a video game.]] Your character borders toward ExistentialHorror in great disbelief of such claims, believing Filos O'Fiero to be insane.
130	* A large variety of characters from the ''Franchise/MassEffect'' series will wax philosophical, particularly allies. They vary from [[MotorMouth Mor]][[IDidWhatIHadToDo din]] to [[WarriorPoet Wr]][[DeadpanSnarker ex]]. Heck even [[PlayerCharacter Shepard]] can get in on the action.
131	* Yusuke Kitagawa from ''VideoGame/Persona5'' could be seen as this, given that as a student of the artist Ichiryusai Madarame, the subject of the game's [[spoiler: second Palace]], he speaks eloquently and profoundly, even about such [[MundaneMadeAwesome mundane]] creatures as lobsters, which he believes are as beautiful as [[MsFanservice Ann.]]
132	* In ''VideoGame/PillarsOfEternity'':
133	** This is a possible background for an [[{{Mayincatec}} Ixamitl]] player character, and the one given for [[EruditeStoner Zahua]]. Like any background, they get unique lines, including some great ones in TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon.
134	** ''VideoGame/PillarsOfEternityIIDeadfire'' introduces a [[TouchedByVorlons Godlike]] philosopher-pirate, from the aforementioned Ixamitl. He shows up in Pallegina's personal quest and asks a bunch of seemingly only loosely-related questions [[spoiler:that determine whether the animancer who convinced Pallegina to not commit suicide lives or dies]].
135	* There are a worrying amount of philosophers in the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' games -- every third person you meet will wax lyrical about the nature and origin of Pokemon and the right way to train them. Most of these musings are useless, but some provide a clue as to what you should do next, or hint at a secret location.
136	* Citan Uzuki from ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'', doubtlessly. Of course, he is also TheProfessor, a DoubleAgent, [[ImplausibleFencingPowers the best swordsman in the world]], and rather the MagnificentBastard, and therefore a living reminder that one very well ought to BewareTheNiceOnes.
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139	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
140	* A good chunk of the cast from ''VisualNovel/DiesIrae'' fall into this category one way or the other, but the [[BigBadDuumvirate two main]] BigBad's are by far the most prominent thinkers, often musing about their place in the universe and the underlying meaning of things or various other esoteric concepts.
141	* Godot from ''VisualNovel/PhoenixWrightAceAttorney: Trials & Tribulations''. You'd be surprised how philosophical you can get about coffee.
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143
144	[[folder:Webcomics]]
145	%% * [[SmellySkunk Andy]] from ''Webcomic/HodgesPond''.
146	* ''Webcomic/TheInexplicableAdventuresOfBob'' -- Galatea uses alien tech to create a superhuman artificial intelligence -- and is then dismayed to find that he's more concerned with abstract philosophical questions than any of the tasks she wanted him to do.
147	* ''Webcomic/KoanOfTheDay'': The central character is a guru who waxes philosophical.
148	%% * ''Webcomic/OutThere'': The whole cast occasionally takes turns playing this role.
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150
151	[[folder:Web Original]]
152	* ''Website/FlameWarriors'': Philosopher, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin naturally]].
153	[[/folder]]
154
155	[[folder:Western Animation]]
156	* In ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'', [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Dinobot]] spent the second season see-sawing between the Philosopher and the WarriorPoet, pondering heavy questions of honor, loyalty, and free will that have started hitting a little too close to home.
157	** Silverbolt, the KnightInShiningArmor to Dinobot's {{Samurai}}, does the same thing from time to time, albeit in a more lighthearted fashion. While he does muse on honour -- specifically, chivalry -- he likes to mix romance in as well, particularly regarding Blackarachnia. Unfortunately, come ''Beast Machines,'' Silverbolt [[NotAsYouKnowThem returns with a radically altered personality]]...and starts stealing Dinobot's lines.
158	* A RunningGag in ''WesternAnimation/MiloMurphysLaw'' involves the factual or philosophical musings of a character named "Jim". When the titular and Character and his friends talk about finding the creator of a distraught robot, Jim starts raising philosophical questions about whether the Robot's feelings are real only to be told what he's told every single time: "Nobody cares, Jim." Aside from [[BornUnlucky M]][[WalkingDisasterArea i]][[WeirdnessMagnet l]][[CosmicPlaything o]] he definitely qualifies as a ButtMonkey.
159	[[/folder]]
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Context Main / ThePhilosopher