Who are the top 3 NON-RELIGIOUS figures who had the largest impact on mankind? What did they do?

Question

This is, obviously, subject to opinion....

Answer 1

This is a very tough question. Here are my choices:

1. Sir Isaac Newton (British) - regarded as the greatest figure in the history of science for his work in physics, alchemy, astronomy, math and philosophy. He pre-dates Einstein and his work is referenced by educational institutions throughout the world.

2. For better or for worse, Bill Gates (American) - Entrepreneur, founder of Microsoft, and richest man in the world. Literally just about everyone in the entire world uses his company's products and he's at the forefront of the Information Age that we are currently living in. His philanthropic foundation has just received a 31 billion dollar gift from Warren Buffet, the 2nd richest man in the world, and the Gates Foundation's potential to actually do an incredible amount of good including rid the entire world of polio, and strike down poverty is inspiring and surprisingly hopeful.

3. Mohandas Ghandi (East Indian) regarded as "Mahatma" meaning "Great Soul" - I do not consider Ghandi a religious figure as much as a philosophical one. He is the pioneer of Satyagraha, the achievement of political change through non-violent civil demonstrations and has implemented this in the Indian struggles for civil rights (in South Africa too), alleviation of poverty, liberation for women, and an end to caste discrimination. His teachings have inspired many including influential civil rights leaders (whether religious or not) the world over including Martin Luther King Jr.(African American), Nelson Mandela (South African), and Aung San Suu Kyi (Burmese).

I also think that right now, we are entering a new age where women are given more and more opportunities to literally change the world. It would be so awesome to see who will do what in the future.

Answer 2

A lot depends on how far in history you want to go and whether you want to consider impact in terms of positive impact or negative impact.

If you want to limit your choice to say, the last hundred years and to positive impact, the three that will come as being the ones with maximum impact are:

1. Gandhi of India
2. Nelson Mandela of South Africa
3. Bill Gates of USA

Although the first two belong to social change and the third to the 'inventor' categoy, I am adding Bill Gates for the beginnings of his Gates Foundation that is bringing about profound social change by supporting development causes as such and not just for his invention and the beginning of the digital era.

Answer 3

Jonas Saulk invented the vaccine that cured and eradicated polio. The most horrible disease since the black death.
Louis Pastuer found how to use milk without it spoiling and poisoning people. Thus helping sustain and lengthen life.
Maeucci or Alexander Graham Bell for the Telephone. No one invention has impacted mankind more. The lines are even used to transmit television and computer information.

Answer 4

Hmmm interesting.

Theodosius, the emperor who officially made Christianity the state religion

Thomas Jefferson

and lastly, perhaps most imporantly

Alexander the Great, the important thing he did was spreading Greek influence throughout the world which really made Greek a standard language in schools until the 1800s.The world would be entirely different without him

Answer 5

The physicians Semmelweis, Lister, Pasteur, and Fleming - introduced infection control measures in hospitals and towns; discovered rabies vaccine; discovered penicillin.

George Washington - led a small, scruffy band of non-military type citizens in a gloriously successful revolution against the huge, well-trained and well-armed soldiers of the British Empire.

Henry Ford - introduced the assembly line and mass production

Answer 6

The Wright Brothers -- Air Travel
Alexander Graham Bell -- Telecommunications/Air Travel
Thomas Edison -- Light Bulb/Phonograph Record
David Sarnoff -- Television

Answer 7

historic previous has a tendency to bury our passions, yet i'd vote for Emperor Caligula. This guy ought to've given Stalin and Hitler classes on a thanks to be a bloodthirsty maniac. Even Nero had guards that fought with him and assassinating him in touch being waiting to wrestle different Romans. yet Caligula? No - at the same time as the right militia brass determined that they had had it, no human being stood of their way. in truth, the entire palace were given the note and became empty. the warriors only got here in and placed the now abandoned emperor and quickly proceeded to butcher him. imagine about it - each human being in the palace became informed, and no human being concept perchance that that they had more desirable ideal keep on with the Emperor. How's that for unpopular? Even Saddam Hussein had numerous persons keen to die for him. you opt to go back in day after today and kill him and also you imagine I should not be in the way if i understand what's reliable for me? O.ok. dokey!

Answer 8

William the Conqueror -- Was the last person to successfully invade England and put the natives in their place.

Adolf Hitler -- Set the stage for the second half of the 20th century.

Gavrilo Princip -- For assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand and giving Europe an excuse to go to war.

Answer 9

Socrates: Set the stage for western thought.

Confucius: established the thought patterns of East Asia for millenia

Answer 10

Jesus has the greatest impact on mankind even today. And He hates religion.

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