9 documentaries about Philosophy that will make you think

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

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

• Related article: "How are Psychology and Philosophy alike?"

Recommended Philosophy Documentaries

The expression of philosophical themes in audiovisual format is a very appealing 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 about the nature of the world in which we live emerged, as well as the establishment of formal logic.

The Greeks intuited various theories that have been tested and validated or refuted by modern science, and

many of his moral ideas were incorporated into Christian moral doctrine. Also in regard to political ideas, Europe and the West in general have had a fundamental influence on ancient Greek thinkers.

The impact of Greek thinkers has been unquestionable, and in this documentary we can make a brief review of his 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. Later, returning to Vienna, he developed the cathartic method in collaboration with Josef Breuer. But he was abandoning these methods to focus on free association and dream interpretation, which gave way to what we know as psychoanalysis.

The recollection 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 enlarging 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 Freud's trail.

Lacan's work highlights the study of different psychological phenomena such as paranoia in order to understand human nature. Lacan also explores the scope of words. Understanding that language is structured by the unconscious, and abandons the science of biology conceived after Charles Darwin to reveal the subversivity 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 exemplify his theories. One of the most entertaining philosophy documentaries.

• You may be interested: "20 phrases by Slavoj Žižek that will make you think"

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: the Rinzai School and the Soto School.

The Rinzai Zen School is characterized by an emphasis on Kenshō (enlightenment or true nature) as the gateway to authentic Buddhism. Training enlightenment allows you to reach the wisdom for a 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 down." It is based on mindfulness in the present moment.

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

In this documentary appears the famous and renowned Carl Jung, 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. Later he founded the school of complex psychology and deep psychology or also known as analytical psychology. According to Jung, our essence is determined by this force of inner reality. Jung especially studied the realm of dreams.

8. Pierre Bourdieu: Images from Algeria

Interesting documentary that has the collaboration of several teachers, 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

This biographical documentary on the life of Friedrich Nietzsche reproduces the last days of this philosopher in the city of Turin, just before he began to experience mental disturbances severe. 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.