July 15

Richard Cumberland, born in 1631, became a leading moral philosopher and Anglican clergyman. He challenged Hobbesian views by advocating for natural law theories centered on benevolence and social welfare. His seminal work, De Legibus Naturae (1672), argued that natural laws promote the common good and human cooperation. Cumberland influenced later Enlightenment thinkers with his ethical emphasis on charity and justice. He also served as Dean of Peterborough and was respected as a scholar and churchman.

Walter Benjamin was born in Berlin in 1892 and became a central figure in 20th-century critical theory. His influential essay 'The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction' explored art and technology. Benjamin’s writings delved into history, culture, and the philosophy of language. He associated with the Frankfurt School and corresponded with leading intellectuals of his time. Fleeing Nazism, he died in exile in 1940 at the French-Spanish border. His innovative ideas continue to shape literary and cultural studies.

Iris Murdoch was an Anglo-Irish writer whose prolific output included over 25 novels and numerous philosophical essays. After studying at Oxford, she taught philosophy at Cambridge, influencing both academic and literary circles. Her debut novel, 'Under the Net' (1954), introduced her signature blend of wit, moral inquiry, and complex characters. Murdoch won the Booker Prize in 1978 for 'The Sea, the Sea' and continued to produce acclaimed works exploring the human condition. She wrote extensively on existential philosophy, ethics, and the role of imagination. Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease later in life, she remained celebrated for her intellectual rigor until her death in 1999.

Jacques Derrida (1930–2004) was a leading figure in 20th-century philosophy, best known for developing deconstruction. He explored structures of language, text, and meaning, challenging the assumptions of Western metaphysics. Derrida published groundbreaking works like 'Of Grammatology' and 'Writing and Difference.' His ideas influenced literary theory, sociology, law, and anthropology. He taught at top institutions worldwide, including Yale and the University of California. Despite controversy, his legacy endures in critical theory and continental philosophy.