#thoughtful commentary

Welcome to friends and newcomers alike! As way of introduction, Philosophical Library is a book publishing company whose founder, Dr. Dagobert Runes, built its “books of lasting value” on the ideas, opinions and genius of some of the greatest writers and thinkers of the 20th century. Einstein, Sartre, Freud, Marx, Spinoza, Nietzsche, Gibran, Gide and others all found a home in that eclectic mix. His daughter, the present publisher, is breathing new life into many of those titles by bringing out revised digital editions that deserve to be considered anew to ensure that we don’t take for granted their impact on our society, and the world at large.

As a philosopher, author and publisher, Dr. Runes knew the importance of facilitating a dialogue among thoughtful people, and he provided an arena for argument, discourse and less fashionable viewpoints. In that tradition, The Philosophical eRound Table is meant to be an extension of that arena, giving writers and readers alike a platform for appreciation and commentary on these classic works and the ideas that have meant something vital to their lives. Classics are called classics for a reason, and we intend to bring these wonderful titles into the digital age with a new take on their timelessness.

How can words written a few generations ago have any relevance today? Albert Einstein, for instance, called himself a “militant pacifist” who regarded Gandhi as “the only truly great political figure of our age.” Would anyone considering the state of the world today have an opinion on that?

Now, the internet has leveled the playing field of personal opinion, and anyone with access and a point of view can tweet, blog or YouTube his or her way to self-expression—sometimes with viral (positive or negative) results. We think the internet is expansive enough to allow for measured commentary that goes beyond the popular penchant for fast and on the fly, and we welcome your contributions to the kind of dialogue we would like to facilitate.