Rene Descartes (1596-1650) was a French philosopher, mathematician and scientist who was perhaps best known for the principle of cogito ergo sum (English: "I think, therefore I am")... Click here to read more on Descartes' life and philosophy.
Viktor Frankl (1905-1997) is perhaps best known for his profoundly
inspiring book, Man's Search for Meaning
. In the epic book, which has sold more than 10 million copies in at least 24 different languages, Frankl, a psychotherapist by trade, describes poignantly his experience in concentration camps during the Holocaust. He observed that those prisoners who gave up on life, who had lost all hope for a future, were inevitably the first to die... Click here to read more on Viktor Frankl's life and philosophy.
Jesus Christ (7-2BC -- 26-36AD), also known as Jesus of Nazareth, was born in the town of Bethlehem in the kingdom of Judea, which is known today as Palestine... Making the simple assumption that a Philosopher is one who practices philosophy, there should be no question, no matter one's religious belief (or lack thereof), that Jesus Christ brilliantly employed the use of reason and logic and persistently pursued philosophical matters, such as life's meaning, purpose and value...
Click Here for more on Jesus' life and philosophy.
Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986) was a philosophical and spiritual revolutionist and is
widely regarded as one of the greatest thinkers of all time; yet he would not call himself "thinker" or "teacher" or "guru" -- Krishnamurti did not align himself or his teachings to any particular religion or geographic region, and spoke to no particular philosophical or ideological belief. In fact, he taught that categorization and herd behavior is what divides us as people... Click Here for more on Jiddu Krishnamurti's life and philosophy.
Lau Tzu (Circa 600BC) or Laozi is a title, meaning "Old Master," given to Li Erg who was 
reportedly born around 600 BC and lived a long and good life as the royal court librarian and historian. While it is not known with certainty that Lau Tzu actually existed, legend has it that Lau Tzu's access to the information found in the royal archives supplied valuable knowledge. Apparently disgusted with society, Lau Tzu abruptly "retired" to live out the remainder of his days as a hermit -- away from people and closer to nature... Click Here for more on Lau Tzu's life and philosophy.
Plato (428-348 BC) may not be the king of all philosophers but he is arguably the most 
important, especially among those of the western hemisphere.
Not only was he well-educated but he was also an outstanding writer, which would enable his ability to express his thoughts and propel his significance as a philosopher and to share the wisdom and methods of his mentor, Socrates, who was not a writer... Click Here for more on Plato's life and philosophy.
Socrates (469-399 BC) may be considered the father of western philosophy. Interestingly, Socrates never wrote down any of his thoughts; however he spoke openly to young Athenians and his students, most notably Plato, who would eventually spread the ideas of Socrates throughout Greece, and eventually the Western world, and through thousands of years to today... Click Here for more on Socrates' life and philosophy.
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