Uncovering the Power of Inspiration

Mar 134 min read

How the People Who Inspire Us Shape Our Lives

Inspiration is found in the people who shape our world through resilience, wisdom, and perseverance.

Inspired writing. A girl sitting at the beach writing in a book. — Who Inspires You?

For me, that inspiration comes from my children, who are now navigating the complexities of raising their own children. Life has thrown them challenges—unimaginable at times—but through it all, they have emerged stronger.

They have taken the lessons of their past, turned them into stepping stones, and built something meaningful. As young men creating their own businesses and providing stable lives for their families, they inspire me every day with their dedication, resourcefulness, and love.

Inspiration often comes from those who face adversity yet continue forward. Many find inspiration in historical figures, activists, or great thinkers. But sometimes, the most powerful inspiration comes from the people closest to us—the ones whose struggles we have witnessed firsthand and whose growth we celebrate.

Their determination reminds us that no challenge is insurmountable, and their ability to rise above their circumstances gives us hope for our own journeys.

Naturally, given my passion for philosophy, this post has to feature some of the great thinkers, and those who inspired them. So, let's begin.

Great thinkers throughout history have drawn inspiration from a wide range of sources—mentors, predecessors, life experiences, and even personal struggles. Here are some of the influential philosophers who inspire me, and the people who inspired them:

1. Plato (c. 428–348 BCE) – Inspired by Socrates

Plato, one of the most influential philosophers in Western thought, was deeply inspired by Socrates. Socrates’ method of questioning, his commitment to truth, and his willingness to die for his beliefs left a lasting impression on Plato. Socrates’ ideas formed the foundation of Plato’s Theory of Forms and his vision of the ideal society in The Republic.

2. Aristotle (384–322 BCE) – Inspired by Plato

Aristotle was Plato’s student and was inspired by his mentor’s philosophical inquiries, though he later developed his own ideas. While Plato focused on ideal forms, Aristotle sought to ground philosophy in empirical observation. His work in logic, ethics, and natural sciences laid the groundwork for future scientific inquiry.

3. René Descartes (1596–1650) – Inspired by Ancient Skeptics and St. Augustine

Descartes, famous for Cogito, ergo sum (“I think, therefore I am”), was inspired by skepticism—especially the ideas of ancient skeptics like Sextus Empiricus, as well as St. Augustine’s introspective approach to knowledge. He sought certainty in philosophy, leading to his foundational work in rationalism.

4. Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) – Inspired by Hume and Rousseau

Kant was deeply influenced by David Hume’s skepticism about human knowledge and reason, which “woke him from his dogmatic slumber.” Additionally, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s ideas about human dignity and moral philosophy shaped Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason and his concept of the categorical imperative.

5. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) – Inspired by Schopenhauer and the Ancient Greeks

Nietzsche was influenced by Arthur Schopenhauer’s pessimistic view of human existence but later rejected his nihilism in favor of a philosophy that emphasized strength and creativity. He also drew inspiration from Greek philosophers like Heraclitus, whose concept of constant change (flux) influenced Nietzsche’s ideas about eternal recurrence.

6. Simone de Beauvoir (1908–1986) – Inspired by Sartre and Existentialism

As one of the pioneers of feminist philosophy, Simone de Beauvoir was inspired by Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialism. She applied existentialist thought to gender and wrote The Second Sex, a groundbreaking work on women's oppression and liberation.

7. Paulo Coelho (b. 1947) – Inspired by Spiritual Seekers and Alchemists

The Brazilian author of The Alchemist was inspired by mysticism, alchemy, and spiritual journeys. His work reflects influences from figures like Carl Jung, whose ideas on individuation and self-discovery align with Coelho’s themes of personal legend and destiny.

Helping Hands — Inspiration Can Come From Many People

Each thinker built upon the ideas of those before them, reshaping and refining their philosophies in response to their inspirations. Who among these thinkers resonates most with you? Or is there another great mind who inspires you?

Is it a family member who has shown great strength? A friend who has persevered through hardship? Or perhaps a teacher, mentor, or historical figure whose wisdom continues to guide you?

I invite you to reflect on those who have touched your life and share their stories. After all, inspiration is not just something we seek—it is something we pass forward.

Namaste`

Deb xx

"If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way." - Martin Luther King

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