November 16

Born in Florence in 1466 into a family of prominent humanists. Grandson of the influential scholar Marsilio Ficino. Held lectures at the Platonic Academy and at the University of Pisa. Wrote commentaries on Plato and original philosophical treatises. Contributed to the spread of Neoplatonic thought during the Italian Renaissance. Died in 1522, leaving a modest but respected body of work.

Jean le Rond d'Alembert was born in 1717 and emerged as a pivotal voice of the French Enlightenment. He co-edited the monumental Encyclopédie with Denis Diderot, challenging traditional limits on knowledge. His work in mathematics introduced the d'Alembert operator and advanced theories in fluid dynamics. As a philosopher, he wrote on the principles of mechanics and bridged scientific rigor with Enlightenment ideals. In his later career, he held a seat at the Académie Française, further influencing European intellectual life.

Born to a noble Austro-Japanese family, Coudenhove-Kalergi advocated for a united Europe to prevent future conflicts after World War I. He founded the Pan-European Union in 1923, publishing the manifesto 'Pan-Europa' to outline his federalist ideas. His proposal influenced post-World War II efforts that eventually led to the founding of the European Community. Coudenhove-Kalergi’s work earned him the inaugural Charlemagne Prize in 1950 for contributions to European integration. He remained active in cultural diplomacy and continued writing on humanism until his death in 1972. His ideas remain foundational to the modern European project.

Robert Nozick (1938–2002) was an American philosopher and academic best known for his seminal work 'Anarchy, State, and Utopia' (1974), which articulated a robust libertarian philosophy of the minimal state. A Harvard University professor, he made significant contributions to political philosophy, epistemology, and decision theory. His writings challenged prevailing liberal theories by emphasizing individual rights and limited government. Nozick’s other major works, including 'Philosophical Explanations' and 'The Examined Life', continue to be widely read and debated. His clear prose and rigorous arguments profoundly influenced contemporary thought. Nozick’s intellectual legacy endures in academic and policy discussions worldwide.

Born in 1946 in Paonia, Colorado, Terence McKenna studied ecology and conservation at the University of California, Berkeley. He traveled extensively in South America, researching traditional plant-based rituals and shamanic practices. McKenna developed theories on the role of psychedelics in human evolution, outlined in his book 'Food of the Gods'. He delivered lectures on language, consciousness, and time, gaining a global following among counterculture audiences. McKenna co-founded the McKenna Academy to explore entheogenic education and advocacy. His work blended science, mysticism, and speculative philosophy, influencing fields from neurotheology to art. Despite his death in 2000, his ideas continue to inspire research into psychedelic therapy and human cognition. McKenna remains a seminal figure in the study of consciousness and alternative spirituality.