The Philosophy Timeline
5 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 31: Sartre and Existentialism Touchstones: Anxiety, Consciousness, and Bad Faith 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 […]
Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) Read More »
7 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 30: Nietzsche and Nihilism Touchstones: Nihilism, Übermensch, and Eternal Recurrence Friedrich was born on October 15, 1844, on the 49th birthday of the Prussian King, after whom he was named. In 1869, at the age of 24, Nietzsche was appointed as a professor of classical philology at the University
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) Read More »
9 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 29: Mill and Utilitarianism Touchstone: Harm Principle John Stuart Mill was born on May 20, 1806, in London, to James Mill, a Scottish-born philosopher and economist, and Harriet Barrow. His Greatest Happiness Principle lies at the core of utilitarianism, advocating for actions that maximize utility, generally understood as producing
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) Read More »
16 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 24: Locke and Natural Rights Touchstones: Natural Rights, Due Process, The Social Contract, Checks and Balances, and Law John was born on August 29, 1632 into a Puritan family in England. During his life, John Locke was focused on empiricism. He goes on to become a key figure in
John Locke (1632-1704) Read More »
17 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 23: Roger Williams and Liberalism Touchstones: Separation of Church and State, and Liberalism. Pictured: None exist of Roger Williams. This artist impression represents his fond relations with Native Americans. Roger Williams was born in England around 1602, in Smithfield, situated at the heart of London. Williams officially founded Providence
Roger Williams (1602ish-1683) Read More »
17 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 22: Descartes and Cartesian Dualism Touchstones: Mind-Body Dualism, Idea Modeling, and Pragmatism René Descartes was born into minor nobility in the Kingdom of France on March 31, 1596. In 1637, Descartes published “Discourse on the Method,” he sought to identify certain knowledge by using doubt to strip away uncertain
Rene Descartes (1596-1649) Read More »
18 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 21: Galileo and the Scientific Revolution Touchstones: Relativity, the Infinitesimal, and Modern Cosmology Pictured: Portrait circa 1638, Galileo was about 74. Galileo Galilei, more of a scientist than a traditional philosopher, forever altered our understanding of nature. He was born on February 15, 1564. Galileo was a great scientist
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Read More »
18 Generations Ago 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 Method, but notice he is not the inventor. Bacon laid
Francis Bacon (1561-1626) Read More »
22 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 19: Guru Nanak and Sikhism Touchstone: The Five Thieves 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
Guru Nanak (1469-1539) Read More »
38 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 18: Peter Abelard and Universals Touchstones: Intent, Object-Oriented Nature, Pattern Recognition, and The Idea of Ideas 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
Peter Abelard (1079-1141) Read More »
42 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 17: Alhazen and the Senses Touchstones: Senses and Perceptions Pictured: Artist impression. 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
Alhazen (965-1040) Read More »
46 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 16: Al-Farabi and Intellect Touchstones: Intellect and Existence Pictured: Artist impression. 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
Al-Farabi (872-950) Read More »
73 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 14: Badarayana and Karma Touchstones: Cause and Effect, and Cognitive Biases 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
Badarayana, from circa 400 BCE to circa 400 CE Read More »
94 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 12: Philo and Abrahamic Philosophy Touchstones: Allegorical interpretation Pictured: Portrait from 1500s. He likely did not look like this. Philo of Alexandria, was born in the dynamic environment before the split of Judaism and Christianity. He was born around the year 20 BCE and became an important Jewish leader
Philo of Alexandria (circa 20 BCE to circa 55 CE) Read More »
102 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 7: Heraclitus and Your Worldview Touchstones: Impermanence, Worldview, and Identity Pictured: Bust of an unknown philosopher. Some believe this might be Heraclitus. This bust is in the Capitoline Museum in Rome, but the museum makes no such identity assumption. As Eastern luminaries contemplated the rhythm and flow of nature,
Heraclitus (circa 535-475 BCE) Read More »
103 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 6: Gautama Buddha and Buddhism Touchstones: Non-self and Nondualism-Dualism Pictured: Gautama Buddha statue in Buddha Park of Ravangla, Sikkim. Showing after Confucius just to group Laozi & Confucius together. In a much simpler time, the royal family of the Shakya dynasty lived in a palace located at the capital
Gautama Buddha (circa 563-486 BCE) Read More »
105 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 4: Laozi and Daoist Philosophy Touchstones: Non-action, Authenticity, Yin and Yang, & Unknowable Dao Pictured is the statue of Laozi at the base of mountQingyuan in China. The life of Laozi is shrouded in mystery, but he is the first philosopher in “30 Philosophers” that attempts to construct a precise
Laozi (604-517 BCE) Read More »
112 Generations Ago (from 2020 CE) 30 Phil, Chapter 3: Gargi and the Concept of Holism Touchstones: Ontology & 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
Gargi Vachaknavi (circa 800 BCE) Read More »
185 Generations Ago (from 2020 CE) 30 Phil, Chapter 2: Shuruppak and Paternal Wisdom Touchstones: Knowledge Frameworks & Philosophy King Shuruppak, circa 2625 BCE to 2550 BCE. Author of the “Instructions of Shuruppak.” It comes to us from around 2600 BCE, perhaps a century or so after the time of Gilgamesh. It is one of
King Shuruppak (circa 2600 BCE) Read More »
How we perceive an external world starts to become clear. A 30 Philosophers touchstone: Chapter 17, “Alhazen and the Senses.” Since Alhazen and his pioneering work around 1020 CE, we have made significant advancements in understanding our senses and perceptions. Prior to Alhazen, most people on Earth believed in magical light-emitting-flashlight eyes.
Touchstone: Senses & Perceptions Read More »
Explore insights into science, philosophy, and history. This community features the writings of Mike Prestwood, a natural philosopher. This throwback title signifies his dedication to weaving together science, philosophy, and history. Engage in insightful discussions in a moderated, safe space where the realms of the irrational and unknowable are respectfully acknowledged but left at the doorway. Ready to connect with like-minded thinkers?
