December 28

Mortimer J. Adler was a prolific philosopher, educator, and author dedicated to promoting lifelong learning. He co-founded the Great Books Movement and served as editor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica's 'Great Books of the Western World' series. Adler’s influential works, including 'How to Read a Book' and 'Ten Philosophical Mistakes,' guided readers through the principles of critical thinking and philosophical inquiry. He taught at the University of Chicago and later at the University of Massachusetts, advocating for liberal arts education and Socratic dialogue. Adler frequently appeared on radio and television programs, delivering lectures that emphasized the contemporary relevance of classical texts. He advised U.S. education policymakers and received numerous academic honors. His legacy persists in curricula worldwide that value discussion-based learning and engagement with foundational works.

Born in 1931 in Paris, Guy Debord became a leading figure in avant-garde circles, co-founding the Lettrist International before establishing the Situationist International in 1957. His seminal work, 'The Society of the Spectacle' (1967), critiqued consumer culture and mass media as instruments of social control. Debord’s theories influenced the May 1968 protests in France and sparked debates on urbanism, art, and politics. He also produced experimental films that extended his critique of modern society. In his later years, Debord withdrew from public life, leaving behind a profound influence on cultural theory and radical thought until his death in 1994.