August 02

Born in Bologna in 1463, Alessandro Achillini became a renowned professor of medicine and philosophy at the universities of Bologna and Padua. He made some of the earliest accurate descriptions of brain ventricles and the lachrymal ducts, challenging prevailing medieval notions. Achillini's medical commentaries on Aristotle combined observation with scholastic tradition, influencing the course of Renaissance anatomy. His work bridged medieval and modern approaches to natural philosophy. He died in 1512, leaving a celebrated legacy in both medicine and philosophy.

Walter Terence Stace made significant contributions to the philosophy of mysticism, studying how spiritual experiences shape human understanding. He served as a professor at Princeton University, where he taught courses on ethics, metaphysics, and religious philosophy. Stace authored classic texts such as Mysticism and Philosophy and The Concept of Morals that remain influential today. His work bridged analytic philosophy and comparative religious studies, emphasizing empirical approaches to mystical states. He influenced both scholarly research and broader public interest in the nature of consciousness. Stace’s clear and systematic writing style helped establish a rigorous framework for the academic study of religion.