September 13

Born in Berlin in 1802, Ruge studied theology and philosophy under Hegel. He became a prominent member of the Young Hegelians and co-edited the progressive journal Der Deutsche Jahrbücher. Ruge advocated for liberal democratic reforms and social rights in the turbulent pre-1848 era. After the failed revolutions of 1848 he lived in exile in France and Britain, continuing his writing and political activism. He returned to Germany later in life, influencing generations of thinkers before his death in 1880.

Born in 1919, Mary Midgley became a leading voice in moral philosophy and the philosophy of science. She wrote extensively on the ethical dimensions of scientific practice and human behavior. Midgley's clear and engaging style made complex ideas accessible to wide audiences. Her influential books challenged reductionist approaches and emphasized the importance of moral responsibility. She held academic posts and received honors for her contributions to philosophical discourse. Until her death in 2018, she continued to publish and lecture on the intersections of science and ethics.

Brad Hooker is an English-American philosopher specializing in moral theory and metaethics. A leading proponent of rule-consequentialism, he argues that adherence to rules that promote the greatest overall good provides a robust ethical framework. Hooker earned his Ph.D. from Oxford University and taught philosophy at the University of Reading before joining the faculty at the University of California, Santa Barbara. His influential books, including 'Ideal Code, Real World' and 'The Moral Problem', have shaped contemporary debates in normative ethics. A frequent conference speaker, he has published extensively on ethical methodology and practical reasoning.