June 21

He argued for religious tolerance and freedom of thought. He wrote landmark works such as Discourse Concerning Free-Thinking and Essay on the Grounds of Faith. His ideas influenced Enlightenment thinkers across England and Europe. Collins challenged established church doctrines and defended rational inquiry. His debates with contemporaries shaped the philosophical discourse of his era.

Born in 1763, Royer-Collard was a leading figure of the Idéologues, an intellectual movement focused on political philosophy and psychology. He served as a professor of philosophy and later as a deputy in the French Chamber of Deputies during the Bourbon Restoration. He advocated for constitutional monarchy, individual liberties, and the rule of law. His lectures and writings helped shape the liberal political landscape of 19th-century France. Imprisoned briefly during the Revolution, he returned to public life under Napoleon and the restored monarchy. He died in 1845, leaving a legacy as a key thinker of early modern liberalism.

Reinhold Niebuhr was born in 1892 and served as a pastor in Detroit before joining Union Theological Seminary. He wrote seminal works like Moral Man and Immoral Society and The Nature and Destiny of Man. Niebuhr's Christian realism blended ethical philosophy with pragmatic politics, influencing U.S. foreign policy. He lectured widely, advising presidents and policymakers on moral issues. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Niebuhr remains a towering figure in modern theology.

Jean-Paul Sartre was born in 1905 in Paris and studied philosophy at the École Normale Supérieure. He published his landmark work Being and Nothingness in 1943, laying the foundation for existentialist thought. Sartre’s plays, such as No Exit, and novels like Nausea explored themes of freedom, responsibility, and absurdity. He declined the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1964, believing that writers should not become institutions. A committed political activist, he engaged in debates on Marxism and human rights and participated in anti-colonial movements. Sartre’s intellectual legacy continues to influence philosophy, literature, and social theory worldwide.

Born in 1908 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, William Frankena studied under renowned philosophers and earned his doctorate in 1932. He specialized in ethics and moral philosophy, serving as a professor at the University of Michigan from 1936 to 1978. His notable works include 'Ethical Theory' (1953) and 'Introduction to Ethics' (1963). Frankena served as president of the American Philosophical Association and was widely respected for his clear, systematic approach to philosophical inquiry. His scholarship advanced analytic ethics and significantly shaped debates on moral responsibility and value theory. Frankena's contributions continue to influence contemporary discussions in moral philosophy.

Michael Ruse is a leading scholar in the philosophy of science, particularly known for his work on evolutionary biology. Through extensive research, he has explored the conceptual foundations of Darwinian theory and the history of creationist thought. He has authored influential books such as 'The Darwinian Revolution' and 'The Evolution-Creation Struggle'. Ruse served as President of the Philosophy of Science Association and has held professorships at several universities. His work has shaped public and academic discussions on science and religion worldwide. He continues to be an active voice in debates concerning evolution and ethics.

Fernando Savater is a renowned Spanish philosopher whose work delves into ethics, politics, and education. Born in San Sebastián in 1947, he studied philosophy at the University of Barcelona. He achieved international acclaim with his book "Ética para Amador", written for young readers. Over his career he has published more than fifty books, exploring themes from free will to democratic values. As a human rights advocate, he regularly contributes essays and columns to newspapers and radio programs. He has held teaching positions at universities in Spain and abroad, influencing students and scholars alike.