July 07

François Hemsterhuis was born in 1721 in Groningen and initially pursued a diplomatic career before turning to philosophy. He explored themes of consciousness, morality, and aesthetics through a series of essays and dialogues. His principal works, composed in the form of philosophical letters, anticipated key ideas of German Idealism. Hemsterhuis engaged in correspondence with leading thinkers of his day, leaving a mark on the intellectual currents of the late Enlightenment. Despite a relatively modest publication record, his profound reflections influenced figures such as Kant and Fichte. He died on July 7, 1790, remembered as a bridge between rational Enlightenment ideals and early Romantic thought.

Born in Stuttgart in 1895, he studied philosophy and social theory, becoming a leading figure of the Frankfurt School. As director of the Institute for Social Research, he shaped the field of critical theory before and after World War II. His collaboration with Theodor Adorno produced the influential book "Dialectic of Enlightenment," which examined the role of reason and culture in modern society. Horkheimer's work challenged conventional Marxist approaches by integrating psychoanalysis and philosophy. He remained a central voice in social critique until his death in 1973, leaving a lasting legacy on humanities and social sciences.