March 17

Thomas Boston became minister of the Parish of Stewarton in 1708 and published his influential work Human Nature in Its Fourfold State, outlining stages of spiritual life. He played a central role in the Marrow Controversy, defending the gospel free of legalism and advocating for grace-centered theology. Boston's sermons and writings emphasized personal piety, pastoral care, and rigorous Bible study. He also served as a professor of theology at the University of Aberdeen, shaping future ministers. His legacy endures in Reformed churches worldwide, inspiring revivals and devotional literature. Boston's life reflected a commitment to both scholarly rigor and heartfelt faith.

Silvio Gesell was born in 1862 in Frankfurt, Germany, and later emigrated to Argentina where he built a successful trading business. Frustrated by the inequalities of capitalist systems, he developed his theory of free economy which advocated for free land and a stable currency charged with demurrage to encourage spending. His seminal work, The Natural Economic Order, published in 1916, influenced later economists including John Maynard Keynes. Gesell's ideas gave rise to movements promoting local currencies and monetary reform. He returned to Europe in the early 20th century to campaign for these reforms across Germany and Switzerland. Though controversial in his lifetime, his economic theories continue to be studied by heterodox economists today. Gesell died in 1930, leaving a provocative legacy in economic thought.

Otto Gross (1877–1920) was among the first generation of psychoanalysts influenced directly by Sigmund Freud. He studied medicine and psychiatry in Leipzig and Berlin, adopting radical views on sexuality and social norms. Gross challenged bourgeois morality and advocated for social and sexual liberation. His writings inspired left-wing psychoanalytic groups and the Frankfurt School. Despite his intellectual contributions, he struggled with addiction and mental health issues, which overshadowed his later career. He remains a controversial figure whose ideas foreshadowed later countercultural movements.

Patrick Suppes was a professor at Stanford University who made foundational contributions to the philosophy of science and psychology. His research in formal measurement theory influenced how psychologists quantify perception and decision processes. Suppes also explored the philosophical underpinnings of probability and statistical inference. He was instrumental in the development of computer-assisted instruction and contributed to early work in artificial intelligence. Throughout his career, he published extensively on logic, semantics, and educational technology. Suppes's interdisciplinary approach bridged gaps between philosophy, psychology, and computer science.

Andrew Brook (born March 17, 1943) is a Canadian philosopher, author, and academic specializing in the history of philosophy and Kantian theory. He earned his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh and has held faculty positions at leading universities. Brook's research focuses on the legacy of Immanuel Kant and the development of Enlightenment thought. He has published widely on topics such as the nature of mind, cognitive science, and ethical philosophy. As an academic, Brook has received fellowships and has mentored numerous graduate students. He continues to lecture internationally and contributes to scholarly journals, shaping contemporary debates in philosophy.