March 01

Born in 1547 in Lindau, Rudolph Goclenius studied philosophy and medicine at the University of Marburg. He became a professor of philosophy, renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge and scholarly rigor. Goclenius is often credited with the earliest use of the term 'psychology' in a philosophical context. He authored influential works on logic, ethics, and natural philosophy that circulated widely in Europe. His lexicons systematized philosophical and theological terminology, aiding scholars and students. He engaged in debates concerning Aristotelian and emerging scientific ideas of the Renaissance. Goclenius died in 1628, leaving behind a legacy as a bridge between medieval scholasticism and modern thought.

Tetsuro Watsuji was born in 1889 and became a prominent Japanese philosopher and cultural historian. His seminal work 'Climate and Culture' (1935) examined how geographical and climatic conditions shape human societies. Watsuji’s ethical philosophy emphasized the concept of aidagara (betweenness), exploring human relationships and communal existence. He taught at several universities, including Osaka Imperial University, influencing generations of scholars in Japan. Watsuji also authored works on aesthetics, religion, and cultural criticism, bridging Eastern and Western philosophical traditions. His interdisciplinary approach continues to inform studies in ethics, anthropology, and environmental philosophy.