The Book Timeline: 30 Philosophers
Blue eyes emerging stands out as a striking example of a genetic mutation that spread across populations. Traced back to a single individual living between 6,000 and 8,000 BCE in the region near the Black Sea. The mutation involved is a specific change in the OCA2 gene, which alters the way melanin is produced in
Phenotype Variation: Blue Eyes Read More »
5 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 31: Sartre and Existentialism Jean-Paul Sartre arrived in the Material World on June 21, 1905. Born in Paris to a modest family. Sartre, the chain-smoking existentialist who frequented Parisian cafes, is most remembered as an activist writer and for his idea of “bad faith.”
In Nietzsche’s complex philosophy, he has several messages for you. One is the idea that as humanity starts to shed supernatural believes, we have an opening for authenticity.
Friedrich Nietzsche Read More »
Once people gain political and intellectual freedom, the next question is what they should do with it. Mill’s answer centered on human development, liberty, and the good of society.
John Locke grounded human knowledge and human rights in experience rather than authority or tradition.
Roger Williams lived in a world where religious conformity was normal, yet he combined law, theology, and experience to question the assumptions of his age.
Descartes used disciplined doubt to strip uncertain knowledge away and rebuild from the certainty of conscious thought. His mind-body dualism then divided reality into thinking mind and physical matter.
Galileo, the Father of Modern Physics, showed that careful observation and math could overturn ancient certainty.
18 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 20: Francis Bacon and the Scientific Method Francis Bacon was born on January 22, 1561, in London to a prominent and influential family. The young Francis Bacon received a comprehensive education, attending the prestigious Trinity College, Cambridge, at the age of 12. Bacon is the Father of the Scientific
22 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 19: Guru Nanak and Sikhism Nanak was born in a village in Pakistan, on April 15, 1469. In 1499, at age 30, Nanak experienced a transformative spiritual event. While working as a storekeeper, he would often bathe in a nearby river. One fateful day, he submerged and remained missing
38 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 18: Peter Abelard and Universals Born in 1079 in Le Pallet, a small village in France, Peter Abelard hailed from a noble lineage. His father, a knight of the local lord, intended for his son to follow in his footsteps. Instead, Peter chose a path of knowledge. His brilliance
42 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 17: Alhazen and the Senses Alhazen was born in Basra around 965 CE, a city located in present-day Iraq. In his 30s, Alhazen faced the challenge of his life. He was “commissioned” to produce a solution for regulating the unpredictable and deadly flooding of the Nile. As he delved
46 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 16: Al-Farabi and Intellect Al-Farabi was born along the Silk Road circa 872 CE in the city of Farab, in present-day Kazakhstan. Al-Farabi’ thought was rooted in Platonic and Aristotelian frameworks, yet it seamlessly wove in elements of Islamic thinking. He imagined an ideal society, steered by virtuous leaders
73 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 14: Badarayana and Karma Badarayana is the sage who wrote the Brahma Sutras. Badarayana is placed at circa 200 CE, but the truth is, we don’t know when he lived. In my research, I found dates ranging from the 4th century BCE to the 4th century CE . While
Philo shows how ideas cross cultures. He blended Jewish scripture with Greek philosophy, helping create an intellectual bridge between ancient traditions.
Philo of Alexandria Read More »
Heraclitus taught that reality exists in constant flux, held together by the tension of opposing forces—an insight that echoes Eastern impermanence and the balance of yin–yang.
The Buddha gave the world a practical lesson: spirituality is best practiced in this life, not the next. Enjoy today in all its shades of color.
Laozi’s spirituality wants you to live with humility before the unknowable Dao: live gently, force less, and move in harmony with reality. Let people be who they are.
112 Generations Ago (from 2020 CE) 30 Phil, Chapter 3: Gargi and the Concept of Holism Gargi lived in India around 800 BCE, give or take a century, but we do not know her lifespan. We know about her from early Vedic Tradition, specifically from the early Vedas. Gargi is one of the earliest known
185 Generations Ago (from 2020 CE) 30 Phil, Chapter 2: Shuruppak and Paternal Wisdom Sumerian civilization consisted of over 30 city-states, among which Ur and Shuruppak were among the more prominent. We know about King Shuruppak from the Sumerian King List, an ancient text where he appears as the last king before a great flood.
