Pandit Gopabandhu Das was undoubtedly a dominating personality in Orissa in the early part of the 20th century. . Not only he was a great leader, patriot,nationalist, journalist,reformer and a humanist but he was also a great national

educational planner in our country.http://www.orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2011/Jan/engpdf/57-61.pdf

Philosophers' contributions to the education, research and humanity are great!

Pandit Gopabandhu Das was undoubtedly a dominating personality in Orissa in the early part of the 20th century. . Not only he was a great leader, patriot,nationalist, journalist,reformer and a humanist but he was also a great national

educational planner in our country.http://www.orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2011/Jan/engpdf/57-61.pdf

I think Bertrand Russell's philosophy of education has been considered quite admirable globally. His concept of education has been regarded as the ideal education throughout the generations. He talked of theme of education for children’s happiness and for creating happy society. He also envisaged the role of parents as educators in the formative years as vitally important, which he considered as the foundation and the first step of the education for happiness. He meant to produce thinking mind with critical skills.

Russell Bertrand: On Education, New Ed. Taylor & Francis Ltd (United Kingdom), 1985 Paperback, 208

Dear Nageswara, When I penetrated the philosophical and historical sources concerning the approach to disability at different historical times and ages, (ranging from very ancient times), I was disappointed with the concepts of enlightened philosophic minds and approaches to disability issues, of leading philosophers, among others, Plato and Aristotle. Plato (427-347 BC) in the case of a disabled child advised to abandon disabled children, which was a common practice in ancient Greece. Aristotle (384-322 B.C) insisted that it should even be legally regulated so, as not to raise any child with a disability. In contrast, positively about human disability spoke Confucius (551 -479 BC) recommended that there should be support and help for the "weak minded".

Philosophers has enabled us to understand the world in a better and rational way.

Swami Vivekananda played a crucial role in the development of science education and research in India. Formation of Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore happened when Jamshedji Tata had interacted with Swami Vivekananda, is remarkable piece of example in the present context. In fact Jamshedji Tata offered Swami Vivekanada the first directorial position to lead the institute.

http://www.rkmvu.ac.in/content/science-education-and-research-india

Apart from IISc, formation of Ramakrshna Mission, which is continuously nourishing education and research not only in India but also all over the world is an unparalleled contribution of Swami Vivekanada, the great philosopher towards education and research.

Here I must mention the name of Asia's first Nobel laureate and great philosopher Rabindranath Tagore, the founder of Visva Bharati University at Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India.

http://www.preservearticles.com/201105066344/contribution-of-rabindranath-tagore-in-education.html

I am sharing an important research article on Tagore's contribution in education and research.

Debi: Thank you for reminding about Bertrand Russell.

Bertrand Russell 10 Commandments of Teaching

The Ten Commandments that, as a teacher, I should wish to promulgate, might be set forth as follows:

1. Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.

2. Do not think it worthwhile to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.

3. Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed.

4. When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavor to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.

5. Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.

6. Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.

7. Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.

8. Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter.

9. Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.

10. Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool’s paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.

Thanks Beata for really bringing out a point that most of us miss. It is really sad that in ancient times disability is considered as a curse and never supported.

Thanks to all of you for the excellent thoughts.

@Lijo: Voltaire

@Lala: Pandit Gopabandhu Das

@Ahed: Thanks for reminding about Socrates (469 BC – 399 BC).

@Amritlal: Swami Vivekananda, Ramakrishna and Rabindranath Tagore have all contributed greatly for education.

@Patrick: Osho is more a cult and spiritual figure rather than in the mold of other great philosophers.

Ibn Sina is the most famous philosopher of the pre-modern era. Born in about 980, he was also the best known as a polymath and as a physician.