Foundations

Project 1602 is shaped by thinkers I have read closely and returned to over time, and their revolutionary ideas that impact us today. These individuals are influences, and their ideas help inform how arguments and questions are approached. While this is only a short list of the many influences who have helped shaped Western thought, below is a small sample of those extraordinary thinkers.

Influences

  • Cicero

    Roman Consul

    Reasoned argument, Natural Law, and Civic Duty.

  • John Stuart Mill

    Philosopher and Economist

    Free Speech and the Protection of Dissent

  • Augustine of Hippo

    Bishop, Theologian, and Philosopher

    Moral humility and the Inquiry for Truth.

  • John Locke

    Philosopher

    Natural Rights, Limited Authority, and the “Father of Liberalism”

  • Adam Smith

    Economist

    Incentives, Institutions, and Moral Judgement in Free Markets

  • Milton Friedman

    Economist-Chicago School of Thought

    Economic Freedom, Monetarism, Liberty

One Quote from Each Thinker Listed above for Context:

“Liberty consists in the power of doing that which is permitted by law.” Marcus Tullius Cicero

“The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral is not sufficient warrant.” J.S. Mill

“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.” St. Augustine

“All mankind…being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.” John Locke

“It is unjust that the whole of society should contribute towards an expense of which the benefit is confined to a part of the society.” Adam Smith

“A society that puts equality before freedom will get neither. A society that puts freedom before equality will get a high degree of both.” Milton Friedman

“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you. So you also must love one another.” John 13:34, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ