November 21

Born François-Marie Arouet in 1694, Voltaire became the most prominent figure of the French Enlightenment. His sharp wit and satirical works, including Candide, challenged religious dogma and social injustices. A prolific writer, he penned plays, essays, poems, and historical works, influencing European thought on tolerance and freedom of expression. Voltaire's correspondence with monarchs and philosophers helped spread Enlightenment ideals across the continent. Exiled for his criticisms of authorities, he lived in England and later settled at his estate in Ferney, where he continued to publish. His advocacy for civil liberties, separation of church and state, and reform of the judicial system left a lasting legacy. Voltaire remains celebrated as a champion of reason and human rights.

Friedrich Schleiermacher was born in 1768 in Berlin and became one of the most influential theologians and philosophers of his time. His work, On Religion: Speeches to its Cultured Despisers, introduced a fresh approach to theology, emphasizing religious experience over institutional dogma. Schleiermacher bridged Enlightenment thought and Christian faith, arguing that religion stems from a sense of absolute dependence. As a scholar, he produced critical editions of Plato and translated biblical texts with scholarly rigor. He founded the University of Berlin's theological seminary, shaping generations of ministers and thinkers. Schleiermacher's ideas laid foundational principles for modern hermeneutics and liberal theology, influencing theology and philosophy well into the 20th century.

Henri Laborit (1914–1995) was a French physician, neurobiologist, and philosopher who pioneered research into the effects of neurotransmitters on behavior. He was among the first to discover the antipsychotic properties of chlorpromazine, transforming psychiatric treatment. Laborit also studied the physiological effects of stress and developed the concept of inhibition of action. Beyond his scientific work, he wrote philosophical essays such as L'Éloge de la fuite, exploring human behavior and social structures. His interdisciplinary contributions bridged medicine, biology, and philosophy, influencing neuroscience and mental health care.