 PEACE
Ghandi and the Dalai Lama: Both of these people really broke the European and American hegemony that to have reform you need to break a few eggs. These two are the best role-model for everyone in the modern age as they show that peace can do as much as war. This is a bit of a trick though, because I have actually shaken the hand of the Dalai Lama on his 96 visit to Australia. Though I would really like to have a one-on-one.
MUSIC
Mozart: By far the greatest musician of all times. The genius of this man was just astounding. And considering that he died at such a young age he ceated a huge amount of work.
Beethoven: Beethoven is my favourite composer, and the 9th, 2nd movement, is my favourite piece of music.
POLITICS
Otto von Bismark: He was probably the greatest politician to ever live. He knew when to go to war, when to strive for peace and when to play people off each other. I also respect him because he was the first politician to introduce job security and pensions. He is probably the father of 20th Century politics in that respect.
Solomon: The Arabic leader, not the Jewish leader. He was arguably the greatest Muslim leader (outside of Mo) and he certainly was the head of a very large, very powerful, and yet very enlightened empire. I'd say that out of all the Empires in history, under Solomon, the Turks had the highest average in those three areas.
ACADEMICS
Noam Chomsky: How could I say no to the person who people use 2nd most in Universities to cite and footnote and quote. He revolutionised Linguistics, Psychology and Philosophy. He is probably the smartest man alive today as not only is he a genius in one area, but in about half a dozen.
Hiedeggar: My favourite philosopher. He always approached problems with a sense of calm and objectivity, moreso that many philosophers. He was the father of a few large areas in philosophy, introduing them into the world, and he talked intelligently on as many philosophical issues as I can think of.
John Locke: The father of modern politics. The God of modern politics. Without him I would say democracy would have failed miserably, and even if it succeeded we wouldn't have anything like the constitutions that modern democracies do. Although there are a number of French philosophers who more closely came up with the ideas of the American and French constitution, I'd give the prize to Locke because he was the first person to think "democracy" out of semi-feudalism.
Rumi: An Afghani poet from the 13th Century. I like him because he really knew how to mix religion, politics and humour. I also consider him to be a great religious philosophy, with a nose ahead of Aquinas. He was fervently anti-literalists, constantly reminding readers to look at concepts, not at words. Zionists, and others who believe God gave them a claim to land should really listen to what Rumi has to say; "Your country is where you are going, not where you are."
AESTHETES
Shakespeare: Beyond a doubt the greatest writer in all of history. His plays and poerty are so rich in imagery, and deep in complexity.
Goethe: My favourite play would have to be Goethe's "Faust". It's a 13 hour marathon of a play and it's just so cool because the second act has nothing to do with the first.
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