​Check out:   Why should we read about the lives of amazing people from History? - Introduction to 'Inspiration from Brilliant Beings from History' series

​Aristotle was born in northern Greece around 384 B.C. He studied philosophy in Plato's Academy for 20 years before he left for the king's court. His father served as the court physician of the Macedonian king Amyntus III, so he it is widely believed that he likely grew up in Stagira. Aristotle then moved to Athens and established a school there to teach philosophy and other subjects. He lectured on almost every aspect of human knowledge, from the natural world to politics and economics.

Aristotle studied elementary mathematics and considered it to be one of three theoretical sciences. In contrast to Plato, who elevated mathematics to a prominent place, Aristotle deemed it unimportant, and placed it in the same category as philosophy and theoretical physics. This distinction is important because Aristotle's work traces the development of modern mathematics, as well as the study of mathematics.

Aristotle's career began in his early years. Throughout history, Aristotle has been praised and revered by a variety of individuals. In the Middle Ages, Aristotle was even known as "The Master" of many disciplines. Although his work has influenced many philosophers and scholars, his writings have shaped a broad spectrum of human knowledge. Aristotle also founded many disciplines and schools of thought.

Aristotle shaped physics and the life sciences, but his studies in these fields were influenced by pre-Socratic theorists. Nonetheless, Aristotle's world set-up is reminiscent of those of pre-Socratic theorists. Aristotle embraced Empedocles's view on the make-up of the universe, according to which everything is made up of four basic elements, air, fire, and water.

Many modern scientists still regard Aristotle as a key source for understanding the human mind and addressing many issues.

In his final years, Aristotle shifted his attention to his own research and expanded his work into marine biology.

Aristotle introduced the concept of "regularity" in nature. He believed that organisms have final causes, but they did not become that way through the intentional agency of an agent. For this reason, he rejects the idea that intentional design is a necessary condition for the existence of final causes. 

He believed that "everything happens for a reason, not by chance". This is in line with the Regularity Theory of Causation, where the core idea is that, "causes are regularly followed by their effects". A genuine cause and its effect stand in a pattern of invariable succession. In other words, Regularity Theory of Causation says that whenever a cause occurs, so does its effect. This is ofcourse very much in line with the ancient theory of Karma, where we find that every action (karma), works as a cause… a reason, to bring about a resulting effect of that action as an outcome or fruits of that action.

Aristotle also wrote about democracy. He wrote about the benefits of democracy and the rule of law, and he believed that the rule of law is the best form of government. Although the state is composed of individuals, a polity can arise when the middle class is strong enough. If individuals are empowered to rule, they will be able to tailor the government to suit their own interests and not be subject to the whims of others.

​Check out:   Why should we read about the lives of amazing people from History? - Introduction to 'Inspiration from Brilliant Beings from History' series

​​There is a lot to learn from the life and works of Nicola Tesla, including his family life, early education, and ofcourse his work. 

Nikola Tesla was born in Smiljan, in the Austrian Empire, which is in modern day Croatia. His parents were Serbian, and Nikola was raised in a mountainous region in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Tesla's early life was filled with ups and downs.

Tesla spent his childhood in Smiljan, Serbia, where he received various skills and mastered the German language. In 1862, his family moved to Gospic, Serbia, where his father served as a Parish Pastor. As a young man, Tesla developed his interest in physics, and he continued studying this subject throughout his life.

Although he had a reputation as a mad genius, he was really a brilliant modern researcher who relied on sound theory and mathematics to develop innovative ideas. Many people have a special affinity for Tesla because of his innovative genius and audacity. Tesla had a fascination for the number three and claimed to have received messages from outer space. 

He is believed to have come up with the fascinating concept of specific repetitions in the sequence of 3, 6 and 9, which he believed to contain special Universal energy. His daily life and activities featured his belief in this special Universal code of 3-6-9… and many others since then have narrated several accounts of super successful outcomes by following his special numerical sequence! 

Nikola Tesla made many important inventions during his lifetime. Most of these were later officially patented by others. In addition to the induction motor and dynamos, he developed radar, X-ray technology, and remote control. He also discovered the rotating magnetic field, the basis of most AC machinery. As a result, his contributions to AC electricity are one of his most famous. 

He had the vision to create something revolutionary. Several of his initial discoveries and inventions are still very much in use today in their authentic concept and many of his original work allowed for later inventions by other scientists.

Nikola Tesla was a brilliant inventor, but an incredibly bad businessman. While his inventions revolutionized electrical power, as an entrepreneur, he was not particularly good at business… which meant he struggled to make enough money to sustain his company. Though he did experience success and acknowledgement of his accomplishments, he did not receive the extent of recognition that he deserved for inventing life-changing creations. 

We find that history books have not given him his due credit and his genius was not as appreciated as it should have been… More than for his own work, the name Tesla, has become famous as it is now representing the name of a famous elective vehicle company (ofcourse started by another unique inventor of our time). 

But irrespective of the fact that people gave him his due recognition or not,  against all odds, Nicola Tesla continue to plug on (no pun intended) and invent, following his heart's calling! His thoughts and words are as inspiring as his inventions. I hope they motivate you to continue following your vision and walking your true path…

​Check out:   Why should we read about the lives of amazing people from History? - Introduction to 'Inspiration from Brilliant Beings from History' series

​Galileo Galilei was an Italian astronomer, physicist and engineer. He has been called the “Father of Observational Astronomy” and also the “Father of Modern Science”.

Galileo studied speed and velocity, gravity and free fall along with the principle of relativity, inertia, projectile motion and also worked in applied science and technology. He invented the thermoscope and various military compasses. Galileo is probably most known as the person who first introduced the concept of Sun being at the center of our solar system. This also got him in trouble with the Roman Church, which until then were his greatest supporters.

He was tried by the Inquisition and found to be a heretic and forced to recant! He was put under house arrest for the rest of his life. It is during this time that he wrote his final book, Two New Sciences.

Galileo worked on what he believed to be correct against all opposition. This has left us some important scientific concepts. His life as expressed through some of her famous quotes can inspire us to face our challenges with courage and determination…    

​Helen Adams Keller was an American author, political activist and lecturer. She was the first deaf-blind person to earn a bachelor of arts degree.

When she was mere 19 months old, Helen contracted an unknown illness which left her both deaf and blind. She lived, as she recalled in her autobiography "at sea in a dense fog."

Even though blind and deaf, Helen Keller had passed through many obstacles and she learned to live with her disabilities. She learned how to tell which person was walking from the vibrations of their footsteps. Helen travelled a lot and was outspoken about her beliefs and convictions. She campaigned for women's suffrage, labor rights, socialism, and other similar causes.

Helen challenged the obstacles that were thrown her way by life and fate. Her life as expressed through some of her famous quotes can inspire us to face our challenges with courage and determination…  

It is said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it!

There are many amazing, inspiring and truly brilliant people in history that can teach us many things as leaders, thinkers and pioneers of life and an inspired way of living. Some of them were ground breaking inventors and others discovered natural phenomenon that everyone saw, but no one else understood. They were men and women who were pioneers during their time and they continued with their work, even though they did not always obtain timely recognition.

They dared to dream and believe in their beliefs, discoveries and insights. They stood (at times alone) against the ‘norms’. Irrespective of their individual achievements, their words show us the unique way in which they looked at their situations and the world at large. 

​Even after several years if not centuries, their words contain wisdom that can inspire us, motivate us to have the courage and conviction- to be the very BEST that we can be.

These Brilliant Beings are not just those who moved large masses of people like Jesus- The Christ, Gautama- The Buddha, Lord Mahavir (founder of Jain religion) or Prophet Muhammed but also innovative thinkers, philosophers and original true scientists like Socrates, Aristotle, Galileo Galilei, Helen Keller and so many more...

The word inspiration comes from the root concept of 'being in spirit'... when we are true to who we are in spirit, our very inner core of being-ness, then we are inspired... and then the thoughts, words and actions that follow, has the power to move the hearts of people and turn the tides of time itself! This can easily be observed from the working and accomplishments such historical examples.

In this series, Inspiration from Brilliant Beings from History, we will briefly look at the lives of such amazing people and gain more insight, wisdom and inspiration from their faith, thoughts and actions!