PHILOSOPHERS from Georgia

Top 3

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the most legendary Georgian Philosophers of all time. This list of famous Georgian Philosophers is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity.

1. Gregory of Tatev (1346 - 1409)

With an HPI of 58.56, Gregory of Tatev is the most famous Georgian Philosopher.  His biography has been translated into 18 different languages on wikipedia.

Gregory of Tatev, or Grigor Tatevatsi (Armenian: Գրիգոր Տաթևացի) (1346–1409 or 1410) was an Armenian philosopher, theologian and a saint in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Gregory was born in Tmkaberd in Georgia or Vayots Dzor in Siunik. He was educated at the monasteries of Tatev and Metzop. Gregory was a faithful Miaphysite, at a time when the Armenian church was building relations with the Dyophysite Roman Catholic Church. He wrote against uniting the Armenian church with Rome. In addition to his opposition to the union with the Roman Catholic Church, Gregory of Tatev also wrote extensively against Islam, as well as against Judaism and various heresies. In his major theological work, the Book of Questions (Girk’ Harc’mants, completed in 1397), Gregory critiques Islamic doctrines, defending the core principles of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He also composed a separate treatise against the Tajiks (a medieval Armenian term for Muslims), in which he polemically opposes core Islamic teachings, particularly on prophecy and holy war (jihad). Gregory’s works provide an important historical source for understanding medieval Armenian-Christian perspectives on Islam and interfaith dialogue. His arguments were grounded in scripture, patristic tradition, and logic, and reflect the broader theological resistance of the Armenian Church against external religious pressures. Gregory also authored: Voskeparik (“Golden Belly”) – a condensed version of the Book of Questions intended for lay readers. Karozgirk’ (“Book of Sermons”) – a compilation of 344 sermons divided into winter and summer volumes, completed in 1407. Commentaries on the Wisdom Books of Solomon (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom of Solomon, and Song of Songs), presented in a question-and-answer format. These were translated into English in modern times. In 1397, during perpetual invasions by the Timurids, he completed the Book of Questions, a basic and comprehensive theological outline. A monument to Tatevatsi was unveiled on October 16, 2010 in Goris, Armenia.

2. Merab Mamardashvili (1930 - 1990)

With an HPI of 58.40, Merab Mamardashvili is the 2nd most famous Georgian Philosopher.  His biography has been translated into 19 different languages.

Merab Mamardashvili (Georgian: მერაბ მამარდაშვილი; September 15, 1930 – November 25, 1990) was a Georgian philosopher.

3. Ioane Petritsi (1050 - 1200)

With an HPI of 57.40, Ioane Petritsi is the 3rd most famous Georgian Philosopher.  His biography has been translated into 16 different languages.

Ioane Petritsi (Georgian: იოანე პეტრიწი, romanized: ioane p'et'rits'i) also referred as John Petritzos was a Georgian Neoplatonist philosopher of the 11th–12th century, active in the Byzantine Empire and Kingdom of Georgia, best known for his translations of Proclus, along with an extensive commentary. In later sources, he is also referred to as Ioane Chimchimeli (Georgian: იოანე ჭიმჭიმელი, romanized: ioane ch'imch'imeli). The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy describes Petritsi as "the most significant Georgian medieval philosopher" and the "most widely read Georgian philosopher."