May 22

Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833) was an influential Indian thinker and reformer who played a central role in the Bengal Renaissance. He campaigned against the practices of sati and child marriage while promoting women’s education and civil rights. In 1828, he founded the Brahmo Sabha, which laid the groundwork for the Brahmo Samaj movement and modern Hindu thought. An eloquent advocate of religious tolerance, he translated key Upanishads into English and engaged with Western ideas during his travels to Europe. His efforts to modernize Indian society and bridge Eastern and Western philosophies made him a pivotal figure in colonial India.

He studied under Max Weber and Karl Mannheim, developing a framework for social critique. In 1923, he co-founded the Institute for Social Research, which later became known as the Frankfurt School. Pollock's research explored the intersections of economics, society, and authoritarianism. He analyzed the rise of fascism and advocated for democratic socialism in his writings. After emigrating during the Nazi era, he returned to Germany post-World War II to revive the Institute. His work helped shape modern critical theory and continues to influence social philosophy.

Andrei Marga was born in 1946 in Săcălaz, Romania, and studied philosophy and political science. He served as Rector of Babeș-Bolyai University from 1993 to 2000, fostering academic development. Marga held the post of Romanian Minister of Education and Culture between 2000 and 2004. His scholarly work covers ethics, epistemology, and modern political theory. He has also been active in politics, advocating for educational reform and European integration.