Walking through Chinatown in New York City I noticed a statue of Confucius. An ancient philosopher isn’t something you expect to see in the bustling modern concrete jungle of NYC. It made me wonder what other philosophers have statues in the U.S.? And were there elements of their philosophy apparent in their geographic location?

Confucius

Inscribed on the base of the statue of Confucius in Manhattan’s Chinatown reads:

“When the great principle prevails, the world is a commonwealth in which rulers are selected according to their wisdom and ability. Mutual confidence is promoted, and good neighborliness cultivated. Men do not regard as parents only their own parents, nor as children only their own children. Provision is secured for the aged until death, employment for the able-bodied, and means for the young to grow. Helpless widows, orphans, and the lonely, as well as the sick and disabled, are well cared for. People do not let wealth lie idle, yet do not keep it for personal gain. They despise indolence, but do not use their energy solely for themselves. Thus, selfish scheming is repressed, lawlessness disappears, and doors need not be shut. This is the great harmony (ta tung).”

Confucius emphasized ren, or moral character, which he described as a concern for others’ happiness, promoting benevolence, social harmony, and education. His teachings valued devotion to family, ancestor worship, and the belief that people are inherently good, though prone to stray from proper conduct. He saw the universe as ordered and harmonious, connecting humans, nature, and the cosmos.

I could feel and see the impact of Confucianism in my time in Chinatown. There’s a lot of ancestral regard and commitment to families that’s apparent in the work ethic and lifestyle of the Asian Americans living in Chinatown.

Plato

At the University of California, Berkeley, a statue of Plato bears two inscriptions from his writings:

“Blame belongs to the one who chooses. God is blameless.” — The Republic

“Every soul is immortal.” — Phaedrus

Plato believed our world reflects an imperfect version of a realm of Forms, or ultimate realities. He viewed knowledge as an activity of the soul shaped by internal thought and sensory experience. Plato argued that doing injustice harms the soul, and that it’s better to endure injustice than to commit it. For him, virtue was valuable in itself, while other goods served virtue’s aims. Plato’s belief in reincarnation taught that a “purified soul” could escape the cycle of rebirth and reside with the gods eternally.

You can see strains of Plato’s philosophy at UC Berkeley through the emphasis on the pursuit of truth and the belief that knowledge is transformative.

Ayn Rand

At Discovery Park of America’s Walk of Heroes in Union City, Tennessee, you’ll find a statue of Ayn Rand. Rand founded Objectivism, a philosophy grounded in the principles that reality is absolute, reason is man’s sole means of knowledge, and that self-interest is moral. She believed that individual rights are inviolable, capitalism is the ideal system, and that art plays an essential role in a meaningful life. Rand argued that rational self-interest enables individuals to lead productive, fulfilling lives.

Her placement in the Walk of Heroes aligns with her view of the individual as a “hero” in their own life, striving to achieve personal fulfillment and purpose through reason and independence.

Aristotle

In New York City’s Athens Square, you can find a bust of Aristotle. His philosophy centered on causality, famously stating, “We do not say we know a thing until we know its cause,” emphasizing the primacy of theoretical over practical reasoning. achieving a virtuous character as the key to well-being. Developed inductive reasoning to draw general conclusions from specific observations.

You can see strains of Aristotle’s philosophy in the location of his because he believed that humans are inherently social beings, finding purpose and fulfillment within a community. What better place than a square to serve as a gathering place, fostering cultural connection and shared identity.

Thomas Aquinas

At the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, a bronze sculpture honors Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas synthesized Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy, emphasizing that faith and reason are complementary. He believed that human understanding could reach divine truths, and his Summa Theologica sought to address fundamental questions of existence, morality, and the divine. His work established that reason is vital to understanding faith and that ethical behavior is grounded in natural law, which is accessible through rational thought.

Within an academic institution devoted to Catholic principles underscores Aquinas’s view that education should not only develop intellectual abilities but also moral character. Both championed the harmony of faith and reason, believing that intellectual inquiry could lead to a deeper understanding of divine truths.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

A statue of Ralph Waldo Emerson stands in the Cincinnati Art Museum. As a key figure in American transcendentalism, Emerson valued self-reliance, the divine in nature, and intuition over organized religion. His essays emphasized the power of individual thought and the importance of harmony with nature, advocating for each person to trust their inner wisdom as a path to truth. Emerson’s ideas influenced American philosophy, promoting a belief in the inherent goodness of individuals and a call to live authentically.

Cincinnati, a resilient city withstanding one of the worst floods in the nation’s history, being a refuge for slaves from Kentucky, aligns with the values of advocating for high personal autonomy and direction.