June 01

John Dewey was a leading figure in the Progressive Education movement, advocating learning by doing. Born in Vermont, he became one of the founders of pragmatism and applied philosophy to social and educational issues. Dewey's work emphasized democracy in the classroom and the importance of critical thinking skills. He authored seminal texts such as 'Democracy and Education' (1916) and 'Experience and Nature' (1925). His theories still shape modern educational practices and philosophical discourse on inquiry and experience.

Born in 1892 in Missouri, Niebuhr was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1915. He became a professor of applied Christianity at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Niebuhr authored seminal works such as 'Moral Man and Immoral Society' and 'The Nature and Destiny of Man.' He developed the concept of Christian realism, emphasizing the role of sin and power in human affairs. Niebuhr's ideas influenced policymakers during World War II and the early Cold War. His Serenity Prayer remains widely known, and he continued writing and lecturing until his death in 1971.

Herbert Feigl was born in Reichenberg (now Liberec, Czech Republic) in 1902. He studied mathematics and philosophy in Vienna and joined the Vienna Circle under Moritz Schlick. Feigl emigrated to the United States in 1936 and became a professor at the University of Minnesota. His work focused on the philosophy of science, the mind-body problem, and the logical analysis of language. He co-edited key Vienna Circle texts and influenced generations of analytic philosophers. Feigl retired in 1972 and continued writing until his death in 1988.