Arthur C. Clarke was a British science fiction writer, science writer, and futurist, famous for his short stories and novels, among them “2001: A Space Odyssey”, and as a host and commentator in the British television series “Mysterious World”. 1. “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) In a Nutshell: “2001: A Space Odyssey” is a narrative … Read more

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer. His political philosophy influenced the progress of the Enlightenment throughout Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution and the overall development of modern political, sociological, and educational thought. 1. “The Social Contract” (1762) In a Nutshell: “The Social Contract” is a milestone in political … Read more

John Stuart Mill was an English philosopher, political economist, civil servant, and one of the most influential thinkers in the history of liberalism. He contributed widely to social theory, political theory, and political economy. 1. “On Liberty” (1859) In a Nutshell: “On Liberty” is a philosophical work that explores the nature and limits of the … Read more

Michel de Montaigne was a significant figure of the French Renaissance, known for popularizing the essay as a literary genre. He became famous for his ability to merge serious intellectual exercises with casual anecdotes and autobiography. 1. “Essays” (1580) In a Nutshell: This groundbreaking collection of essays covers a vast array of topics, showcasing Montaigne’s … Read more

John Locke was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers, commonly known as the “Father of Liberalism”. His work significantly influenced the development of epistemology and political philosophy. His writings influenced Voltaire and Rousseau, and they were important to the American Revolution and the French Revolution. 1. … Read more

Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher who is a central figure in modern philosophy. He argued that the human mind creates the structure of human experience, that reason is the source of morality, that aesthetics arises from a faculty of disinterested judgment, and that space and time are forms of our understanding. 1. “Critique of … Read more

Leo Tolstoy was a Russian author and one of the greatest novelists of all time. His works are distinguished by his exploration of human experience and emotion on a large scale, and his novels “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina” are considered landmarks of realist fiction. 1. “War and Peace” (1869) In a Nutshell: An … Read more

Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher best known for his work in political and social philosophy. His ideas, expressed in his masterpiece “Leviathan,” revolve around social contract theory and the necessity of a strong central authority. He viewed the natural state of mankind as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” and believed that a powerful … Read more

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist, and journalist. He’s known for his exploration of human psychology in the context of the troubled political, social, and spiritual atmosphere of 19th-century Russia. His works often feature characters who must grapple with existential and moral dilemmas. 1. “Crime and Punishment” (1866) In a … Read more

George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950) was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist, and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture, and politics extended from the 1880s to his death and beyond. He wrote more than sixty plays, including major works such as “Man and Superman” (1902), “Pygmalion” (1912) and “Saint Joan” (1923). He was … Read more