March 23

Born in Diyarbakır in 1876, Ziya Gökalp became a driving force behind Turkish nationalist thought. As a sociologist and professor, he synthesized European social science theories with Ottoman and Turkish traditions. His seminal work 'Principles of Turkism' advocated a secular national identity based on common language and culture. Gökalp's poetry and essays inspired the Young Turk movement and later reforms under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He is revered as a founding intellectual of modern Turkey, and his ideas continue to influence Turkish sociopolitical discourse.

Roger Crisp is an English philosopher and academic noted for his work in moral philosophy and the history of ethics. He has held positions at leading universities, including the University of Oxford, where he contributed to the study of normative ethics. Crisp's research focuses on utilitarianism, Aristotelian ethics, and practical moral theory. He has authored influential books and articles that make complex philosophical ideas accessible to wider audiences. Through teaching and publication, he has shaped contemporary discussions in ethical theory and motivated new generations of scholars.