December 11

Francesco Algarotti (1712–1764) was an Italian polymath, art critic, and philosopher during the Enlightenment. He authored engaging essays that explained Newtonian science and aesthetic theory for a broad audience. His works, such as 'Essay on the Opera', influenced cultural debates and the development of taste across Europe. Algarotti maintained correspondence with luminaries like Voltaire and Frederick the Great, acting as a cultural mediator. He served as a diplomat and hosted salons that fostered intellectual exchange among artists and scientists. His interdisciplinary approach and clear, persuasive style helped disseminate progressive ideas beyond academic circles. Algarotti’s legacy endures in the history of art criticism and popular science writing.

Georgi Plekhanov was a Russian philosopher, theorist, and writer who introduced Marxist theory to Russia in the late 19th century. Born in Yelizavetgrad, he initially embraced populist ideas before becoming a committed Marxist. Plekhanov founded the Emancipation of Labour group, which translated and disseminated key works by Marx and Engels. His writings, such as 'The Development of the Monist View of History', influenced revolutionary thought and the Bolshevik movement. Exiled for his political activities, he continued to write and debate socialist strategies from Switzerland and France. Plekhanov's intellectual leadership shaped the ideological foundations of Soviet socialism.

Ronald Dworkin (December 11, 1931 – February 14, 2013) was an American philosopher, jurist, and scholar renowned for his work in legal philosophy and political theory. He held professorships at University College London, Oxford University, and New York University School of Law. In his seminal book 'Taking Rights Seriously' he argued that individual rights are fundamental to legal and political systems. His theory of law as integrity, detailed in 'Law's Empire,' challenged prevailing legal positivist views and emphasized moral principles in judicial decision-making. Dworkin's writings on equality, democracy, and the interpretation of the Constitution have had a profound impact on constitutional law and ethics. He received the prestigious Holberg International Memorial Prize in 2007.