Thomas Kuhn was an American physicist, historian, and philosopher of science, known for his seminal work “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” which popularized the term “paradigm shift.” Kuhn’s philosophy challenges the common assumption that scientific progress is a straightforward accumulation of facts and theories. 1. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962): This is undoubtedly Kuhn’s … Read more
Zygmunt Bauman was a Polish sociologist and philosopher who spent much of his career in the United Kingdom after fleeing the anti-Semitic purges in Poland. He is best known for his analysis of the links between modernity and the Holocaust, and the concept of “liquid modernity.” 1. Modernity and the Holocaust (1989): Bauman argues that … Read more
Japanese author Haruki Murakami’s blend of surrealism, music, and running permeates much of his work, creating a unique style that has cemented him as one of Japan’s foremost contemporary novelists. His work often defies traditional genres, blending elements of magical realism, science fiction, and detective fiction. 1. Norwegian Wood (1987): The novel tells a coming-of-age … Read more
An American psychologist, Julian Jaynes was best known for his book “The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind”. His controversial hypothesis proposed a new way of understanding the human mind and consciousness. 1. The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind (1976): In this influential book, Jaynes presents … Read more
Charles Dickens (1812-1870): Charles Dickens was an English writer and social critic. He is one of the most recognized authors in English literature and is especially known for his trenchant satire, keen observational humor, and unforgettable characters. His stories, which reflect the harsh realities of 19th century England, continue to captivate readers around the world. … Read more
Ayn Rand was a Russian-American writer and philosopher who is known for developing a philosophical system she named Objectivism. Her novels, which embody her philosophy, have been both lauded for their advocacy of individualism and criticized for their uncompromising positions. 1. Atlas Shrugged: Rand’s magnum opus, a novel that presents her philosophy of Objectivism through … Read more
John Maynard Keynes was a British economist whose ideas fundamentally changed the theory and practice of macroeconomics and the economic policies of governments. He built on and greatly refined earlier work on the causes of business cycles and is widely considered to be one of the most influential economists of the 20th century and the … Read more
Aldo Leopold was an American author, philosopher, scientist, ecologist, forester, and environmentalist. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin and is best known for his book “A Sand County Almanac” (1949), which has sold more than two million copies. 1. A Sand County Almanac: This book combines natural history with philosophical insight in … Read more
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. Hume’s work formed the foundation of philosophical naturalism, the idea that philosophical speculation must be grounded in empirical evidence, and he is often grouped with John Locke, George Berkeley, and a handful of others as a British … Read more
Friedrich Engels was a German philosopher, historian, political scientist, and revolutionary socialist. He was also the close associate and collaborator of Karl Marx, with whom he co-authored “The Communist Manifesto.” His analysis of class struggle, capitalism, and the theoretical potential of the working class have been influential in the realm of political thought. 1. The … Read more