People have been voting for their rulers for thousands of years. It is thought likely that millennia ago, hunter-gatherersHumans who lived an ancient way of life in which they foraged for food and occasionally hunted, but did not farm. would decide things by popular vote.¹ The first recorded formal election took place in SpartaAnother of the great classical city-states, best known for its uncompromising martial culture. all the way back in 754 BC.²

So you would think after all that practice, we would be better at it. But it is only very recently that we have come to believe that everyone should be able to vote. And around 70% of the world still has no right to vote at all.³

So perhaps it is little surprise people feel uncertain how they should vote. To make it easier, the Day has assembled four philosophers to explain how they would pick their parties this Thursday:

David HumeThe Scottish philosopher argued that all human knowledge is acquired through experience and therefore embracing the unknown is a fundamental part of being human. - Labour Hume believed in gradual, moderate reform of society. He was deeply opposed to any form of extremism. He also died believing he had achieved very little.

Friedrich NietzscheA German classical scholar, philosopher, and critic of culture (1844 - 1900), who became one of the most influential of all modern thinkers. - Conservative Nietzsche was deeply pessimisticTending to believe that the worst will happen., just as many Conservatives are about the election. He believed society should be run by an aristocraticBelonging to the highest levels of society - the top of the upper classes. elite, so he would have opposed taxing private schools.

Mary WollstonecraftA British writer who is often called the mother of feminism. In A Vindication of the Rights of Woman she argued for equal rights for both genders. - Liberal Democrat As a firm believer in caring for other human beings, Wollstonecraft would have approved of the Lib Dems' promise to fund social care. And like the Lib Dems, she was often ignored.

SocratesConsidered by some to be the greatest philosopher in history, Socrates is credited with developing the whole notion of critical reason. - Reform Rather than putting forward a programme of his own, Socrates thought his role was to criticise others and hold them to account. He admired authoritarianEnforcing strict obedience to authority. rulers and was sceptical of democratic structures.

But how does a philosopher choose which way they will vote?

Some would tell you to vote for the party whose policies would benefit you the most. Karl MarxA 19th-Century German economist and philosopher who argued that capitalism was doomed to collapse. thought society was made up of opposing classes. So you should vote for a party that will act in your interests.

Others, like Immanuel KantA German Enlightenment philosopher who is regarded as one of the most important thinkers of the modern era. He fundamentally changed the way we think about a variety of subjects, from aesthetics to cognition to morality., would say it is no use voting for a politician who will not fulfil their promises, so the most important thing is pick a party you trust.

Still others, like Edmund BurkeIrish statesman, economist and philosopher. Often regarded as the founder of modern British conservatism., might tell you the important thing is values. Politicians lay out their plans before an election but these are often derailed by sudden crises and events, and you want to be sure they will respond to them in the right way.

Is there a right and wrong way to choose?

Yes: Voting is a serious duty. It would be irresponsible to decide how to vote based on something trivial. You should think carefully about who will do the right thing in government and run the country the best.

No: Your vote is your own. If you like a candidate because they have a trustworthy face or a reassuring voice, you can vote for them based on that. It is all up to you, the voter.

Or... In a democracy, the voter is sovereignWhen a nation is independent and self-governing. . That means no-one can tell you how to vote. But it also means you also have a duty to educate yourself about public affairs and use your vote wisely.

Hunter-gatherers - Humans who lived an ancient way of life in which they foraged for food and occasionally hunted, but did not farm.

Sparta - Another of the great classical city-states, best known for its uncompromising martial culture.

David Hume - The Scottish philosopher argued that all human knowledge is acquired through experience and therefore embracing the unknown is a fundamental part of being human.

Friedrich Nietzsche - A German classical scholar, philosopher, and critic of culture (1844 - 1900), who became one of the most influential of all modern thinkers.

Pessimistic - Tending to believe that the worst will happen.

Aristocratic - Belonging to the highest levels of society - the top of the upper classes.

Mary Wollstonecraft - A British writer who is often called the mother of feminism. In A Vindication of the Rights of Woman she argued for equal rights for both genders.

Socrates - Considered by some to be the greatest philosopher in history, Socrates is credited with developing the whole notion of critical reason.

Authoritarian - Enforcing strict obedience to authority.

Karl Marx - A 19th-Century German economist and philosopher who argued that capitalism was doomed to collapse.

Immanuel Kant - A German Enlightenment philosopher who is regarded as one of the most important thinkers of the modern era. He fundamentally changed the way we think about a variety of subjects, from aesthetics to cognition to morality.

Edmund Burke - Irish statesman, economist and philosopher. Often regarded as the founder of modern British conservatism.

Sovereign - When a nation is independent and self-governing.