Galileo Galilei
Galileo, the Father of Modern Physics, showed that careful observation and math could overturn ancient certainty.
Philosophy
Natural philosophy includes dividing ideas into empirical, rational, and irrational as well as understanding their philosophical context. Philosophical context includes understanding the timing of discoveries and rediscoveries as well as the philosophers behind them and their publications.
Francis Bacon
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
Guru Nanak
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
Peter Abelard
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
Alhazen
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
Al-Farabi
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
Badarayana
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 of Alexandria
82 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 12: Philo and Abrahamic Philosophy 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 delving into the enigmatic world of Hellenistic Jewish religion. Pictured: Portrait from 1500s. He
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Heraclitus
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.
Gautama Buddha
Spirituality is best served in this life, not the next. Embrace your spiritual beliefs, but live this life for this life.
Laozi
Laozi’s spirituality wants you to live with humility before the unknowable Dao: live gently, force less, and move in harmony with reality.
Gargi Vachaknavi
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
King Shuruppak
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.
Chocolate
In the tropical rainforests of Mesoamerica, the ancient Olmecs unlock the secrets of the cacao pod. By fermenting, roasting, and grinding the seeds, they create the bitter beverage chocolate. This divine elixir lays the foundation for chocolate’s enduring legacy, cherished by the Mayans and Aztecs as a ceremonial drink, a currency, and a medicine.
Corn
In the highlands of Mexico, the story of maize, or corn, begins with its ancestor, teosinte. Through centuries of selective breeding, Indigenous peoples transform this humble grass into corn.
Cheese
In the Neolithic villages of Poland, milk, a nourishing gift from domesticated animals, is left to curdle, giving rise to the earliest form of cheese.
Beer, Ale, Wine
Who drank the first beer? Getting buzzed definitely has very deep historical roots. The earliest evidence of any fermented beverage is fruit-based, aka wine, and comes from the Jiahu site in China and dates back to around 7,000 BCE (9,000 years ago). In addition to fermented beverage residue in China, we have grain-based, aka beer/ale,
Venus of Tan-Tan
Found in Morocco, this natural pebble with human-like features is possibly the oldest known example of a figurine or representation of the human form.
Chauvet Cave Paintings
Located in France, the cave contains hundreds of wall paintings of animals, abstract symbols, and hand prints.
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Sulawesi Cave Art
Discovered in Indonesia, these hand stencils and depictions of animals are among the oldest known figurative artworks.