October 16

Karl Kautsky (1854–1938) became one of the leading figures in the Social Democratic movement and edited its influential journal, Die Neue Zeit. He wrote extensively on Marxist theory, advocating for a democratic approach to socialism and criticizing revolutionary tactics. Kautsky’s major works like The Class Struggle and The Agrarian Question shaped debates on socialist strategy. A prolific lecturer and debater, he traveled across Europe promoting workers’ education and political engagement. Though he later parted ways with Lenin’s Bolsheviks, his ideas continued to influence socialist thought for decades. Kautsky’s blend of scholarly analysis and activism marked him as a key thinker in modern political philosophy.

Louis Althusser was a leading figure in 20th-century Marxist theory, teaching at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. His works 'For Marx' and 'Reading Capital' introduced concepts like ideological state apparatuses and overdetermination. Althusser's structuralist approach aimed to renew Marxist philosophy by focusing on underlying social structures rather than human agency. He influenced intellectual debates across sociology, philosophy, and political science. Personal struggles, including mental health crises, marked his later years. Despite controversy, his theoretical contributions continue to shape critical theory and radical thought.

Born in 1928 in Spokane, Washington, Mary Daly earned her doctorate in theology from Boston College. She became the first woman to teach theology at Boston College, challenging traditional religious scholarship. Her seminal work 'Beyond God the Father' (1973) critiqued patriarchal structures in Christianity and advocated for women's spiritual autonomy. Daly introduced the concept of patriarchal 'incest' in religious texts, reshaping feminist theological discourse. Over her career, she published numerous books blending philosophy, theology, and social critique. Her fearless writings influenced generations of feminist thinkers until her death in 2010.