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Greatest men of culture and intelligence you adore

Rainman05

Rainman05

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Name the top 3 greatest men of culture and science and great thinkers that your nation has produced that you adore. They can be alive or dead for 100 years or more. It doesn't matter. But who are of your nation. So don't go about saying Immanuel Kant if you're not German or Voltaire if you're not French. So generally, people who you find admiration for.

If you want, you can also start a top 3 greatest men of all time, from all nations and people, that you admire the most.

So, 3 people from my nation (Romania).
1. Nicolae Iorga. Romanian scholar, man of culture, literature, science and for a brief time, an unsuccessful politician in the interbellic period in Romania. I admire him a lot for the fact that he became one of the most notable figures in Romania in countless areas despite coming from a very poor and disadvantaged background. Deceased father early in life, mother had to keep moving and so on and so forth. As far as intelligence goes, he was without a doubt one of the most intelligent men who ever lived, fluent in about 12 languages.

2. Mircea Eliade. Romanian writer and adventurist, traveled in many places in the world, most notably India, was part of the Rotary club and has produced some of the best romanian literature ever. He is also a man of culture and has written what is considered one of the most comprehensive writings about religions in the world, especially about the earliest ones that start off in the far east.

Amazon.com: Mircea Eliade on Theory and History of Religion

These are some of his writings that have been translated into English.

3. Mihai Eminescu. Romanian poet, in fact, he is considered the greatest Romanian poet and the last Romantic (poets who aspired to Romanticism influence). I can't say much more because I can't do justice in expressing how deep and often amazing his poems are. One may say that his writings reflect the spirit of what it means to be Romanian. The tragedy is that the many Romanians don't seem to be Romanian, if we are to adhere to this definition, only in name.

On international scale, the top 3 people i admire the most are:

1. Nicola Tesla... we wouldn't have modern society without his discoveries and inventions. Notably, alternative current.

2. Voltaire and Jean Jacques Rousseau. I have to put them both together because without them, we wouldn't have the Enlightenment and we have to thank them for bringing into our world the theory of what it means to be a citizen of a country as well as public education. Something we should pay more attention to this day... sadly, his teachings are lost on the modern person.

3. Johann Sebastian Bach. Because his music is divine. I mean, by God, he is the greatest composer that the world has ever seen. His music is divine. If we do have a soul, I do believe that when we die and our soul will rise to heaven, the songs the angels sing must be his.
 
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The three Americans I admire the most are Abe Lincoln, George Washington, and Eddie Van Halen.
 
Aristocles (Plato), Gautama (Buddha), Jesus ben Josef (Christ).

That's on international scale. Since I don't reveal my nationality, I will pass the national contest. ;)
 
Gipper said:
Ceaucescu.
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:lol: ,rainman hates him

mine is mirca lucescu and hagi from romania

turkey ,Atatürk and Gazi Yaşargil

international

Confucius , Einstein and Nietzsche
 
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Carl Segan. - The man speaks how mankind can change for the better, and how leaving this Earth and colonizing others planets is the best way to evolve the human species into "Homo Novus" (New Man) as I call it.
 
Hm, very hard to pick three ... I'll take Martin Luther, Johann Sebastian Bach (no need to say anything about these two) and Thomas Mann (probably the greatest German 20th century writer).

But I'm missing so many off the list... as you have probably guessed, Heinrich Heine (1797-1851) is on my favorites list too. There are also several influential German scientists who should be mentioned, although many of them left Germany at some point. Think of Einstein or Heisenberg. Freud and Jung (do Austrians count?). Countless philosophers ... on the field of political philosophy, I'm probably most fond of Hannah Arendt and Jürgen Habermas. If I have to include a German politician, I'd pick Willy Brandt, for a lack of a better alternative.
 
Martin Luther King, Carl Sagan, Mark Twain
 
Rainman05 said:
So, 3 people from my nation (Romania).
1. Nicolae Iorga. Romanian scholar, man of culture, literature, science and for a brief time, an unsuccessful politician in the interbellic period in Romania. I admire him a lot for the fact that he became one of the most notable figures in Romania in countless areas despite coming from a very poor and disadvantaged background. Deceased father early in life, mother had to keep moving and so on and so forth. As far as intelligence goes, he was without a doubt one of the most intelligent men who ever lived, fluent in about 12 languages.

2. Mircea Eliade. Romanian writer and adventurist, traveled in many places in the world, most notably India, was part of the Rotary club and has produced some of the best romanian literature ever. He is also a man of culture and has written what is considered one of the most comprehensive writings about religions in the world, especially about the earliest ones that start off in the far east.

Amazon.com: Mircea Eliade on Theory and History of Religion

These are some of his writings that have been translated into English.

3. Mihai Eminescu. Romanian poet, in fact, he is considered the greatest Romanian poet and the last Romantic (poets who aspired to Romanticism influence). I can't say much more because I can't do justice in expressing how deep and often amazing his poems are. One may say that his writings reflect the spirit of what it means to be Romanian. The tragedy is that the many Romanians don't seem to be Romanian, if we are to adhere to this definition, only in name.
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That's interesting, and I have to admit in shame that I never heard of these three.

Actually, the only Romanian that immediately comes to my mind is Ceaucescu (sp?). D'oh.

When I read Baha'i literature the other day, I learnt that Baha'i admire and hold dear Romanian Queen Mary (died somewhen around 1926 or 1928), as she was the only monarch to embrace the Baha'i faith so far. Can you tell me more about her?
 
German guy said:
That's interesting, and I have to admit in shame that I never heard of these three.

Actually, the only Romanian that immediately comes to my mind is Ceaucescu (sp?). D'oh.

When I read Baha'i literature the other day, I learnt that Baha'i admire and hold dear Romanian Queen Mary (died somewhen around 1926 or 1928), as she was the only monarch to embrace the Baha'i faith so far. Can you tell me more about her?
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Oh boy.. this is a long story.

Well, basically, Queen Mary was the wife of our 2nd king, King Ferdinand and she was the mother of our third king, King Karl II ( Carol II ).

You may wonder... whats up with the name? That doesn't sound Romanian does it?

Well, its a long story but basically, in 1867, very important and intelligent men of Romanian culture and dignitaries alike decided that it would be in the best interest of the nation to have a foreign prince on the Romanian throne. Why? Well, its a long story involving a war, a country forming scheme... followed by a series of much needed reforms that angered special interest groups, followed by a state cue... and a lot of things in between. But the sensible men of our society decided that in order to not lose all the progress that was made in a few 6 years, we need someone with integrity and who is trained and raised to rule properly and just.

So the quest came to find a just man who came from a royal dynasty with whom Romania and Romanians never had a problem with, but in fact, liked, who had been trained and raised to rule properly and who would have the diplomatical skill to avoid getting caught in the middle, as Alexandru Cuza did...

And they found this man in the form of Carol I Hohenzollern. I'm sure the dynasty rings a pretty big bell :)
Carol I of Romania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The second king we had, was his nephew, Fedinand.
Ferdinand of Romania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And his wife: Marie of Romania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Who was Russian by ethnicity, born in england and the one who introduced the Baha'i faith to Romania, by converting to it after being an Orthodox for a long period of time. Most people at the time loved Queen Marry. She is mentioned in many of the places where she lived. Bran Castle... is one of our most iconic ones and it is full of history, including, that of Queen Mary. She died in 1938.

Sadly, communism came after WW2 and a lot items of value that belong to the royalty, including belongings of Queen Mary had been... well... mistreated. A lot of her works, he did write poems, lost or burned... a lot of her paintings, burned or lost. Not much survived really... very few from ALL that could have been.

However, the history books love her. Not the ones they teach in schools today... but for history passionate people as myself, there are countless sources that describe in detail her efforts during the war, during the famines and her charm and competency. She played the part of the queen well, helped her husband in diplomatic affairs, solidifying the position of Romania (especially after WW1) and to keep the country running properly.

During communism, most traces of the monarchy and their imprints in the world had been erased. Theaters, boardwalks and places that carried their names have been renamed to suit ideological purposes. Their presence was diminished in the text books. No longer were the royalty cherished and praised for their efforts, but rather considered to be evil and depraved. It was only after 1989 that royalty names had begun to appear again on public theaters... busts of statues of the former kings and queens of Romania put in place, replacing the busts of figures like Ceausescu, Ana Paulka, Gheorge ghiorghiu dej. But nothing like it was before communism.

It is important to note that people really didn't mind her new faith. I mean, people loved her. Also, she converted in the final years of her life, after 1930's, after her son, Carol II, took the throne and pretty much minimized her influence in public life because he wanted to be in the spotlight and for people to love him. However, she was never attacked for her decision or hated. People... pretty much loved her for who she was a queen.

And then we had our third king, Karl II, but he was a f-up... so we don't really like him. A womanizer and an inept politician. It is ironic, that Nicolae Iorga, one of the man I admire the most, was a keen monarchist and had high hopes for Carol II. Ofc... that never happened.
 
Rainman05 said:
Oh boy.. this is a long story.

Well, basically, Queen Mary was the wife of our 2nd king, King Ferdinand and she was the mother of our third king, King Karl II ( Carol II ).

You may wonder... whats up with the name? That doesn't sound Romanian does it?

Well, its a long story but basically, in 1867, very important and intelligent men of Romanian culture and dignitaries alike decided that it would be in the best interest of the nation to have a foreign prince on the Romanian throne. Why? Well, its a long story involving a war, a country forming scheme... followed by a series of much needed reforms that angered special interest groups, followed by a state cue... and a lot of things in between. But the sensible men of our society decided that in order to not lose all the progress that was made in a few 6 years, we need someone with integrity and who is trained and raised to rule properly and just.

So the quest came to find a just man who came from a royal dynasty with whom Romania and Romanians never had a problem with, but in fact, liked, who had been trained and raised to rule properly and who would have the diplomatical skill to avoid getting caught in the middle, as Alexandru Cuza did...

And they found this man in the form of Carol I Hohenzollern. I'm sure the dynasty rings a pretty big bell :)
Carol I of Romania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The second king we had, was his nephew, Fedinand.
Ferdinand of Romania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

And his wife: Marie of Romania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Who was Russian by ethnicity, born in england and the one who introduced the Baha'i faith to Romania, by converting to it after being an Orthodox for a long period of time. Most people at the time loved Queen Marry. She is mentioned in many of the places where she lived. Bran Castle... is one of our most iconic ones and it is full of history, including, that of Queen Mary. She died in 1938.

Sadly, communism came after WW2 and a lot items of value that belong to the royalty, including belongings of Queen Mary had been... well... mistreated. A lot of her works, he did write poems, lost or burned... a lot of her paintings, burned or lost. Not much survived really... very few from ALL that could have been.

However, the history books love her. Not the ones they teach in schools today... but for history passionate people as myself, there are countless sources that describe in detail her efforts during the war, during the famines and her charm and competency. She played the part of the queen well, helped her husband in diplomatic affairs, solidifying the position of Romania (especially after WW1) and to keep the country running properly.

During communism, most traces of the monarchy and their imprints in the world had been erased. Theaters, boardwalks and places that carried their names have been renamed to suit ideological purposes. Their presence was diminished in the text books. No longer were the royalty cherished and praised for their efforts, but rather considered to be evil and depraved. It was only after 1989 that royalty names had begun to appear again on public theaters... busts of statues of the former kings and queens of Romania put in place, replacing the busts of figures like Ceausescu, Ana Paulka, Gheorge ghiorghiu dej. But nothing like it was before communism.

It is important to note that people really didn't mind her new faith. I mean, people loved her. Also, she converted in the final years of her life, after 1930's, after her son, Carol II, took the throne and pretty much minimized her influence in public life because he wanted to be in the spotlight and for people to love him. However, she was never attacked for her decision or hated. People... pretty much loved her for who she was a queen.

And then we had our third king, Karl II, but he was a f-up... so we don't really like him. A womanizer and an inept politician. It is ironic, that Nicolae Iorga, one of the man I admire the most, was a keen monarchist and had high hopes for Carol II. Ofc... that never happened.
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Thanks for the explanations! It's much more interesting hearing them from a Romanian in his own words, than reading dry Wikipedia articles.

So apparently, Romania's monarchy had ties to Germany ... I didn't know that. Are there any survivors of the Romanian branch of the Hohenzollern dynasty? (And weren't there even thoughts about bringing back the monarchy lately, in Romania ... or was that Bulgaria?)

At any rate, Baha'is all over the world think highly of Queen Mary. Maybe that's a small relief after the harsh treatment of her memory during communist times.

And the communist period... yes, it's really a shame. So much of the old culture was destroyed. It's similar in east Germany, although the East German commies were probably less violent and cruel than the Romanian commies... you can see that when you look at church membership numbers: In West Germany, some 80% of the people are at least formally members of a church IIRC, while it's reversed in the East (80% atheists). Berlin is an interesting place insofar as it has both a Western and Eastern part, and you find street names such as "Hindenburgdamm" or "Hohenzollerndamm" on one side, and "Karl-Marx-Allee" or "Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz" on the other. (Of course, many communist street names were changed after 1990, but many of the less sinister names remained.) I kind of like that, as it reflects the different aspects of our history.
 
German guy said:
Thanks for the explanations! It's much more interesting hearing them from a Romanian in his own words, than reading dry Wikipedia articles.

So apparently, Romania's monarchy had ties to Germany ... I didn't know that. Are there any survivors of the Romanian branch of the Hohenzollern dynasty? (And weren't there even thoughts about bringing back the monarchy lately, in Romania ... or was that Bulgaria?)

At any rate, Baha'is all over the world think highly of Queen Mary. Maybe that's a small relief after the harsh treatment of her memory during communist times.

And the communist period... yes, it's really a shame. So much of the old culture was destroyed. It's similar in east Germany, although the East German commies were probably less violent and cruel than the Romanian commies... you can see that when you look at church membership numbers: In West Germany, some 80% of the people are at least formally members of a church IIRC, while it's reversed in the East (80% atheists). Berlin is an interesting place insofar as it has both a Western and Eastern part, and you find street names such as "Hindenburgdamm" or "Hohenzollerndamm" on one side, and "Karl-Marx-Allee" or "Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz" on the other. (Of course, many communist street names were changed after 1990, but many of the less sinister names remained.) I kind of like that, as it reflects the different aspects of our history.
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Well, we have King Micheal I, son of Carol II. He is old now, he was born in 1921... he was a teenager during WW2 and because his father abandoned his crown and his duty(to run away with a woman), he had to pick up the pieces... but he didn't manage to do that, or rather, he wasn't allowed by Antonescu. As you know, Romania was on the side of the Axis for much of WW2, until we were defeated by the communists and had to switch sides, and General (Maresal in Romanian) Antonescu was basically in charge, king Micheal only having formal powers, never any substance. After WW2, he was forced to abdicate by the communists, lived his life in England and other places, most notably Switzerland. He was well connected, after all, he is cousins with Queen Elizabeth of England and Prince Charles... as well as being an uncle to the other heirs and royal children. But he didn't sponge off his royal title, he worked all his life and grew up as a decent and honest man, despite his royalty.

The fact that King Karl II fled is one of the reason we don't really like him... you know, apart from his total incompetence as head of state. This however, is what turns King Micheal into a tragic character of history and makes him very popular and loved.

Anyway, he was given citizenship back in 1997 by the national liberal party (the social democrats, aka, socialists, who were in charge before that, denied him citizenship and even access in the country) and some of his estates were restored later... of course, not all the former royal estates were given back to him because, well, they are state buildings that are needed for the country to run. But the size of the estates he received is considerable. I think in 2006 was the last of the formal documents handed over, giving him a palace, lands and his former titles, except, that of king of Romania.

Anyway. There were always monarchists in the country, but they never really were a voice, an authority. Lately, in the past 5-6 years, more people start to think its a good idea to have a king instead of a president. Have something like we had, a constitutional monarchy. But I dislike the idea, even if it is King Micheal, whom I have much respect for. We should remain a republic. the issue is that King Micheal has no sons, only daughters... and there is a scandal between one of his daughters and the man she married... a spanish guy who isn't worth the air he breathes. His eldest daughter is married to a Romanian who may be something. I am however, not a monarchist... and I am not worried, this movement will never garner sufficient popular support to ever really happen. I don't want a monarchy, even the most constitutional one, from a whole host of reasons. Though I acknowledge that king Micheal may be a better man than each of our presidents, including the one we have, it is not sufficient reason to crown a king and have a dynasty... I mean, the man speaks 4-5 languages including English, German and French. that enough makes him a desirable candidate for head of state... where as our former president, Iliescu, spoke better Russian than English (hint hint, communist fossil)... and Constantinescu barely managed to say anything all(his presidency was very brief)... and our current one, Basescu would be best if he would just stop talking all together. (hint hint, resignation is desirable)

The king of Bulgaria is also cousin (of some degree) with king Micheal and they pretty much shared the same fate... expelled from their country by the communists. I don't know if there were movements to restore the monarchy in Bulgaria... here, as i said, it never passed theoretical stage. Never more than a public dialogue. King Micheal I did make a pretty moving speech to the Romanian Parliament in 2011 with the occasion of him having 90 years of age if I'm not mistaken. He also established his eldest daugher to be heir to the crown of Romania. But again.. the crown has no real power, and his designation as his daughter as heir is strictly to do with the family estates in Romania, which are tied to the crown, not the individual.

Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia (well, now just Serbia) is King Micheal's nephew I think... and he enjoys much popularity in Serbia. He is actively working to get a constitutional monarchy put in place instead of the republic that Serbia now has... the funny thing is, it may actually work. I mean, he is more popular there than most politicians. Maybe you heard something about this. I have, when I was to Montenegro two years ago. Montenegroans love him too... He is an overall popular fella.
 
my international list :

louisPasteur.webp

Louis Pasteur : he proved that spontaneous generation of life was bunk and slam dunked it for the germ theorists.


mohandas_gandhi.webp

Gandhi. a man of non-violence and a proponent of equality.

bob_dylan_yoga.webp

Bob Dylan. brilliant songwriter / poet.
 
Rainman05 said:
Name the top 3 greatest men of culture and science and great thinkers that your nation has produced that you adore.
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Socrates, Plato, Aristotle.

No contest.
 
Off the top of my head. Benjamin Franklin, Martin Luther King, and Thomas Jefferson.
 
From the United States:

1. Mark Twain. He was far ahead of his time in terms of views on imperialism and race.

2. MLK. Not only did he fight for equality, he did so without hurting those who oppressed him.

3. Thomas Paine. He was one of the great republicans of the day.

International:

1. Voltaire. Had a strikingly modern view on freedom.

2. John Locke. He came up with popular sovereignty.

3. Theodor Herzl. The founder of Zionism.
 
1. Aristotle.
2. Galileo
3. Newton
4. Einstein
5. Ayn Rand (woman)
6. Carl Sagan
7. Richard Dawkins
8. Sam Harris
9. Christopher Hitchens
10. Neil deGrasse Tyson (Best living popularizer of science)
11. Michio Kaku (Best living teacher of science)
12. Adam Carolla (Tons of people experience, a lot of behavioral insight)
13. Joe Rogan (Forget about Fear Factor or the UFC, listen to the man speak)
14. Penn Jillette
 
Rainman05 said:
Well, we have King Micheal I, son of Carol II. He is old now, he was born in 1921... he was a teenager during WW2 and because his father abandoned his crown and his duty(to run away with a woman), he had to pick up the pieces... but he didn't manage to do that, or rather, he wasn't allowed by Antonescu. As you know, Romania was on the side of the Axis for much of WW2, until we were defeated by the communists and had to switch sides, and General (Maresal in Romanian) Antonescu was basically in charge, king Micheal only having formal powers, never any substance. After WW2, he was forced to abdicate by the communists, lived his life in England and other places, most notably Switzerland. He was well connected, after all, he is cousins with Queen Elizabeth of England and Prince Charles... as well as being an uncle to the other heirs and royal children. But he didn't sponge off his royal title, he worked all his life and grew up as a decent and honest man, despite his royalty.
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The fate of the Balkan kingdoms during and after WWII is saddening, really, especially that of Romania. Romania had been Allied-friendly ever since World War I, until Antonescu. Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania caved in to the fascist elements within the country or were pressured by Germany and as a result Stalin had an excuse to take over those countries and turn them into satellites even though they all attempted to become neutral or switch sides.
 
James Joyce. There are others that are tied for 2-10ish, but Joyce is far ahead of them in my opinion.
 
Lachean said:
1. Aristotle.
2. Galileo
3. Newton
4. Einstein
5. Ayn Rand (woman)
6. Carl Sagan
7. Richard Dawkins
8. Sam Harris
9. Christopher Hitchens
10. Neil deGrasse Tyson (Best living popularizer of science)
11. Michio Kaku (Best living teacher of science)
12. Adam Carolla (Tons of people experience, a lot of behavioral insight)
13. Joe Rogan (Forget about Fear Factor or the UFC, listen to the man speak)
14. Penn Jillette
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The last 3 seem a bit out of place on this list. Entertaining, sure. Greatest men of culture??? ehhh.......
 
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