Socrates (c. 469–399 BC) is known as one of the founders of Western philosophy, yet very few records survive about his life and work. Of the few records we have, many refer to his rational thinking and the important discoveries he made such as epistemology. He gave his name to the famous Socratic method of questioning, also known as elenchus. … Read more >>
A scene from Raphael’s School of Athens shows Pythagoras as a bearded man, thinning on top, and writing with a quill. He is wearing a sleeved tunic spread out over his legs as he bows his head to write, balancing a book on his left thigh. Before him, a child with long hair presents him with a writing slate. There … Read more >>
The Athenian logician Plato (c. 428–347 BC) is a standout amongst ancient Greek philosophers, and his ideas have formed the basis of much Western ideology. He was a student of Socrates and he carried on many of Socrates’ teachings in his work. He established the Academy, thought to be the world’s first college, and in it he taught his most … Read more >>
“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease” – Hippocrates Very little was known about disease in ancient Greek times until Hippocrates began to make great strides in the field of medicine. Many modern cures can be traced back to Hippocrates, and for this reason, he is known as “the father of medicine.” At that time, it was … Read more >>
Eureka! As soon as you hear the name Archimedes, the first thing that comes to mind is either mathematics or science. A well-known researcher and scientist, Archimedes proposed various laws and theories in the fields of motion, geometry, liquid motion, and more. “Eureka!” was the word he shouted when he made a new discovery, some of which are listed below: … Read more >>
When life gives you lemons, should you make lemonade? Interesting question. All through life, we face many situations which we wish we had a guide book for. And that’s where Sun Tzu comes into the picture. But who is he, you might ask? Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, military strategist, author, and thinker who lived during the Eastern Zhou … Read more >>
Our civilizations have been built on the hard work of our ancestors, and the heritage we cherish is the result of years of learning and knowledge. Countless battles have been fought and numerous expeditions have taken place to explore the planet and create a better world for future generations. History does not do justice to the efforts of our predecessors, … Read more >>
History has seen the rise and fall of some infamous and notorious rulers who brought about inexplicable horror in their thirst for power and recognition. They ruled with an unchallenged authority and silenced all possible threats in the most ruthless manner. Now, the idea of an insane ruler with absolute power and control over his/her people may sound both unnerving … Read more >>
Ancient military commanders have led thousands of men into battle in order to triumph over the enemy. Their elaborate speeches prior to battle, many of which are still remembered today, have inspired thousands of men on the battlefield. Ancient warfare was completely different to modern warfare. Generally speaking, armies relied on their sheer size and strength to win a war, … Read more >>
The Earth has a 4.6-billion-year history. However, Homo sapiens (modern humans) only evolved between 400,000 and 250,000 years ago. Humans evolved from the family hominid (great apes) that have existed on Earth for around 20 million years. Over time, different human species with different characteristics have existed on Earth, but not all species of humans have survived the journey with … Read more >>