February 11

Born around 1096 in Saxony, Hugh joined the Abbey of Saint Victor in Paris in the early 12th century. He became one of the most influential masters at the Victorine school, teaching theology, philosophy, and the arts. Hugh’s works, such as the 'Didascalicon,' provided guidance on the use of the liberal arts for spiritual contemplation. He emphasized the four levels of biblical interpretation and the importance of mystical union with God. His writings bridged Platonic philosophy and Christian doctrine, influencing later scholastic thinkers. Hugh was also a skilled preacher and pastoral teacher, overseeing novices and scribes. He died in 1141, leaving a legacy as a founder of Victorine spirituality and medieval educational reform.

Born on March 31, 1596, in La Haye en Touraine, Descartes studied law before turning to mathematics and philosophy. He developed analytic geometry, bridging algebra and Euclidean geometry. Descartes’s philosophical method, encapsulated in 'Cogito, ergo sum,' established skepticism as a tool for uncovering truth. He wrote key works such as 'Meditations on First Philosophy' and 'Discourse on the Method.' Descartes also made significant contributions to optics and mechanical physics. His dualist view of mind and body shaped centuries of philosophical debate. He died on February 11, 1650, in Stockholm while serving Queen Christina of Sweden, and remains a central figure in Western thought.

Paul Karl Feyerabend (1924–1994) was an Austrian-Swiss philosopher and historian of science known for his provocative views on the nature of scientific practice. In his seminal book Against Method (1975), he argued for epistemological anarchism, famously declaring 'anything goes' in scientific discovery. Feyerabend challenged the idea of a fixed scientific method, advocating methodological pluralism and the value of diverse perspectives. He served as a professor at institutions including the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of London, shaping debates in both philosophy and science studies. His critiques of rationalism and his defense of cultural context sparked widespread academic controversy. Feyerabend's daring insights continue to influence philosophers, sociologists, and historians in understanding science as a dynamic human endeavor.